Everyman York
Blossom Street,
York,
YO24 1AJ
Blossom Street,
York,
YO24 1AJ
14 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 75 of 143 comments
If the community is agreed that Reel will do a good job then we will sit back and wait. If you need us, www.grandevenues.com Thanks and continued success. I am humbled and amazed at your patience.
A bit of news and a bit of clarification.
I know Paul has been following this particular cinema for a number of years and has commented on here before about purchasing it. I believe through previous enquiries and at the time of the campaign, I also provided as much contact information as I could as to who to approach with any offers. Can I ask Paul how you would view running the building given that I’m assuming this would be your first UK cinema purchase? York has 3 theatres and the buildings stage depth would preclude lives performance without rebuilding work. Would you aim for film use?
The building was never for sale, it was only ever the lease that was offered for sale by the former operators, Odeon. The building itself is owned by insurance company Norwich Union so contacting York City Council would not help. Approaches were made at the time of the campaign to determine the ways forward but as they stated at the time the leaseholders had every right to dispose of the lease as they saw fit.
Reel do have a good track record in refurbishing some of the older properties in their portfolio and respect the original fabric when it comes to refurbishing them, just look at the Curzon Loughborough.
Yes it’s taking time to do this, and I’m as exasperated as anyone that we haven’t got this jewel open again and welcoming patrons. Unfortunately with the economy going rapidly down the toilet decisions are taking even longer. I’m aware that cinemas can do well through a downturn as people look to curb their spending and look to entertainment closer to home.
In view of this I understand that Reel maybe now planning what they originally announced in getting the place spruced up and the doors open in the first instance and using the revenue generated to carry out further improvements and bring the place back to it’s Art Deco glory. Everything crossed in anticipation and, as always, more news when I have it.
Mr. Warshauer, if you want to enquire on purchasing this building, you won’t find any place to do so here. If you want to buy the building, you need to speak to the York Council, then try to make an offer better than what Reel offered.
Does anyone have any pics of the Odeon from the 70s and/or 80s?
Seeing as Reel Cinemas are intent on NOT refurbishing the building please do buy it Mr Warshauer.
We have followed this tragic course of events for years. May we purchase this amazing theatre? Please call Kevin in our office (308) 384-6816.
I had a look at the building yesterday. The car park at the rear is in use complete with its signage. There was a skip round the back full of rubbish and there was somebody in the building. The padlocks were off the front door and the foyer lights were on. Is somthing happening at last? I would love to see this as a cinema again but I do honestly think York City Council’s refusal to allow the signs to be removed was the death of this building. In my opinion, the signs should have been removed to a suitable museum and Odeon allowed to carry out its rebranding exercise as happened in nearby Harrogate. The signs were in poor condition and will have to come down anyway for any future use or, dare I say it, demolition. Reel cinemas run my local cinema in Grantham but it is a very small cinema. Could they have taken on too much with York?
Posting twice…. Something is wrong with this.
But on the link in the last comment, read the comment on the article’s page by the commenter ‘Guy Fawkes’. While I (Again) do not live in york, and therefore, don’t care about this, he does raise some intresting points about what use the building would be.
And lets face it, you know the building is doomed anyway. Reel hasn’t even started refurbising the inside anyway, so if Reel hasn’t gone as far as that, it’s as easy as saying, ‘oden york is doomed’
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Apparently, because of some sign issues, Reel is trying to get Pay and display set up at the rear of the building-while the inside remains untouched.
I don’t live in york and don’t have an opinion, but if the argument is won by the council, this building could be as good as gone.
Remember, there are certian things that people can do and cannot do to Listed buildings. Since the ODEON York is one of them, they can only do so much.
Besides, didn’t a former ODEON, the Parkway Cinema take 2 years before it opened?
This is taking forever…
No news on the refurb as yet. Discussions are supposed to be being held between Reel, the local council and the councils conservation officer as to what can be done with the listed building, both externally and internally.
I was told that I’d be kept updated by the conservation officer once these had started, as I have a keen interest and knowledge of the cinema, but have had no contact as yet.
In the meantime I’ve been carrying out research into the orginal interior decoration, colour schemes and what still remains etc with a view to producing some display material to show the new owners as they seem to favour looking at the restoration of original features.
The sign is most likely to be removed as I doubt Odeon would want there trademark name to remain on the building, but I will be pressing that its saved rather than ending up in the skip.
As ever more news when I have it.
Unless i’ve missed the reference in all the squillions of reports here previously, there’s a feature on the Odeon York on this website:
http://www.oldcinemas.webplex.co.uk
As a research worker in my own job I have sight of some of the many millions of local history websites in the UK so will keep my eye open.
Does anyone know when work is finally due to start on the Odeon?
Reel should put up its own sign. It would be strange to have the ODEON sign up.
What will happen to the old odeon sign, of courtse Reel will be putting its own sign up ?
Things seem to be taking shape as I’ve noticed the official Reel Cinemas website now includes and entry for ‘Reel York’.
Clicking on the site it simply says ‘Reel York opening soon after complete refurbishment’
Looks like things are starting to happen. Will swing by the place and see if anythings happening. Probably a bit early to expect as discussions were going to be held with planners, conservation architect and English Heritage.
Hi Ian, Definately will let you know if and when I hear from then again and when I get the visit set up.
And I am still here – camera at the ready, and fingers crossed !!
Happy New Year Kev,
Things have been a little bit quiet, but I had an email from the Reel Cinemas managing director a couple of months ago. I’d sent them a copy of our campaign pack and also copies of the original Maltby photo’s from shortly after it opened which I thought may help with the proposed restoration of the building.
I’d also requested the possibility of a look round before work commenced and if I could follow their restoration work to create a photographic record.
Mr Suri replied to say they were dealing with the recent opening of their Hull new build and when work commenced at York, supposedly 1st half of this year, he’d get in touch with me to arrange a visit. I think the first thing they’ll be doing is submitting their plans and discussing the project with the council’s planners and conservation architect.
Hopefully things will start to move along soon and the work will get under way. As it stands the conservation architect had said she’ll be in touch with me once the talks are underway.
As always I’ll post any new developments when I hear them.
most recent picture…..any news, Tim Addyman, and Happy New ‘save York Odeon 'Year to you :>)
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kev p
Has anyone noticed that there is still a ‘For Lease’ sign over the shop part of the Odeon?
Does this mean that Reel Cinemas have the actual cinema whilst the shop could be leased to another company?
Its been announced that the cinema is unlikely to reopen until next year as the new owners are now planning a major refurbishment, rather than an intial clean up which was first mooted.
The managing director, Mr Kailash Suri, has said that discussions between the local council, English Heritage and the companies architects will begin in the autumn to come up with acceptable proposals to restore it to its art deco glory.
How many screens the complex has will then be decided on. Initial plans were announced that they wished to subdivide the largest screen into 2 with 3 smaller ones below, where previously there were just 2.
Before contracts were exchanged the building did unfortunately suffered minor vandalism whilst shuttered as vandals pulled some boarding away from the main entrance caused damage to the foyer area and the main cinema screen was slashed. However this was reported and the building was made secure again within 2 days.
Licensing conditions have been agreed with York Council which include steps to prevent people loitering outside and causing a nuisance.
The small car park at the rear of the cinema (which is about 25 spaces) is to be for disabled customers and staff only. Whilst the cinema has been shuttered this has been used by nearby residents, so wheel clamping will be brought in to enforce this.
With this sort of committment it is hoped that this sleeping beauty will have a happy ending after all.
Absolutely Ian, no problem. I only had an hour in the building the other week and there was so much to explore.
The agent did say that the exchange of contracts was imminent so hopefully Reel will oblige and allow a longer visit for a proper look round, in all the store rooms, roof and circle voids, basement, etc etc.
It should be an interesting project to document, especially if they are going to restore the original remaining features and fingers crossed the uncovering of the mural!
Tim – IF you are able to get in during the clean-up / transformation, and you need a friend with a camera ………. !!
Cheers Kev, That’s a great pic. The Maltby photo’s are a great record of the Odeon circuit in it’s heyday.
Tim.