Odeon Plymouth
34-36 Union Street,
Plymouth,
PL1 3EY
34-36 Union Street,
Plymouth,
PL1 3EY
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On Tuesday 10th May 2022 I was fortunate to be able to meet up with Nichola Cooke, of Nudge Community Builders, the new owners (in association with transformation specialists Eat Work Art), for a tour of the former Gaumont/Odeon. As can be seen from my photographs, an immense amount of work is required, but Nudge are contemplating retaining the horizontal sub-division and installing commercial units in the former stalls, while adapting the former circle as an entertainment venue. This should provide much needed regular rental income to sit alongside the more occasional nature of the events upstairs. On the plus side, I gather that the building is basically sound. I wish Nudge well in their bid to not only revitalise the Gaumont/Odeon, but also breathe new life into the Union Street area.
TV news coverage from 196,1 The closing of The Gaumont Palace prior to conversion of the building to Ballroom and smaller Cinema. With Manager Mr Edwards and Projectionist Mr Leacey.
https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-plymouths-gaumont-cinema-closure-1961-online
I have finally got round to adding a few photos from last year’s visit.
The building is currently open for the public to view an art installation. I went in to explore the remains. In the circle foyer the ceiling decoration has largely survived. In the auditorium the dome which survived destruction in 1962 is still in place. A decorative grille of pointed arches above the proscenium is still there and floors and stairs from the 1930s have been uncovered. At the back of the stalls some of the original steel girders have been revealed. Most of the stepped circle has survived with timber battens inset into the concrete to screw down the seat stanchions. I will be going in again and photos will follow.
it is not exactly a church. it is being renovated by a religious based tv network to become part of their broadcast locations. because it is basically being gutted to what complete degree i do not know. i was concerned a bit about any historically significant interior architectural artifacts or original design elements. does anybody know what was there and are there any restrictions. i am glad to know it is contracted for use for a long time but i am such a proponent of historic renovation.
The 1962 conversion was done at the same time as the Odeon Haymarket (London). Many items, such as seating used identical design and fabrics. The projection rooms and equipment were also similar. One of the last Victoria 10 installations
There is some additional information about this theatre here.
Two more views of the former Gaumont / Odeon from 1991:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4456884628/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/243166516/
Vintage photographs of the Odeon in the 1960’s/1970’s:
http://www.mawgrim.co.uk/cavalcade/plymoutho.jpg
http://www.mawgrim.co.uk/cavalcade/plymoutho2.jpg
http://www.mawgrim.co.uk/cavalcade/plymoutho3.jpg