albanyward.com Blog

The wonderful art deco Odeon (formally Gaumont Palace 1933) closed on 6.11.2006 due to competition from the new Cineworld Multiplex just around the corner.  The building had over the years been horribly subdivided to make 7 screens, but the excellent exterior complete with Newbury Trent low relief figures remains much as it did in 1933.

Unfortunately prior to closure Odeon had sold the building along with several others to a nightclub developer.  It is unclear whether the new owner intends to convert the existing (not listed) building or to demolish and redevelope the site.  Art deco buildings are scarce in Cheltenham so lets hope it survives.

A quick look at the cinema in the 1960s from Odeon Cavalcade:

http://www.mawgrim.sathosting.net/cavalcade/cheltenham.jpg

The beautiful Grade II listed Beau Nash Picture House sadly closed 17th October 2004 when leasee Odeon opened their new multiplex along the road.  There are still a few years left on the lease and owners Bath City Council have been looking for a new tenant.

Komedia will run the venue as a mixed Cabaret, Comedy and music club.  See link:

http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/14648/brighton-comedy-club-acquires-old-bath-cinema

The interior from old publicity-

This year I may not appear to have been updating the site as much as normal.  But behind the scenes I have been planning some major improvements.  The first of which are now operational.

Where a cinema in another town is mentioned, it is now linked.  In addition new industry information pages have been created and links created from all the major individuals and businesses that were involved in cinemas in Cornwall.  These information sites give an overview of the business and allows you to link to other pages on the site that feature this operator.  This effectively means you can now navigate by business as well as geographically.  This will be rolled out for Devon, Monmouthshire and the new Gloucestershire pages very soon.  Example Albert Jackson Withers

Additonally the Subject and Place Index has now been fully created to take into account the main pages and the new industry pages.  You will probably find it easier to use the index than the search engine, especially for town names.

The Cinema Listings page has had a tidy up and the home page now has a copyright statement, so everyone take note of this.

New Gazetteer content as follows:

Bodmin Palace, Camborne Cameo and Truro Palace have now got cinema programme covers from the 1960s.

Interior pictures now for Exeter Barnfield Hall, Gaumont Palace, Odeon and Picture House.  Ilfracombe Embassy and Landmark, Lynton Cinema and Town Hall, plus new cinema at Market Hall identified.  Topsham Matthews Hall.

 ClivePolden

Webmaster