Odeon Ashford
33 - 37 High Street,
Ashford,
TN24 8TF
33 - 37 High Street,
Ashford,
TN24 8TF
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Odeon Theatres Ltd., Rank Organisation
Architects: Andrew Mather
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Located in Ashford, Kent. This was originally going to be a Regal Cinema and plans had already been passed when it was taken over by the Oscar Deutsch chain, Odeon Theatres Ltd.
It opened as the Odeon Theatre on 31st August 1936 with Eddie Cantor in “Strike Me Pink”. The exterior is in a traditional brick and stone construction and with a rather ‘old fashioned’ looking interior, it was not typical of an Odeon styled cinema, although it was designed by Andrew Mather who was designing many Odeon theatres at that time. Seating was provided for 1,102 in the stalls and 468 in the balcony.
The Odeon closed on 30th August 1975 with Oliver Reed in “The Four Musketeers”. It remained closed for a while until in early-1976 it re-opened as a Top Rank Bingo Club which in later years has become a Mecca Bingo Club. On 8th March 2018 Mecca Bingo announced that due to a decline in business they would not be renewing the lease and the bingo club would be closing. It was closed on 7th July 2018. The building has been purchased by Ashford Borough Council for possible redevelopment.
Contributed by
KenRoe
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
An exterior photograph of the Odeon, taken in the Summer of 1971:
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Another photo as a bingo hall in 1986
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The Kentish Express for 8th March 2018 reports that a steady decline in business has caused Mecca to announce termination of the lease, and the newspaper says the building has been sold to Ashford Borough Council as a key town centre site. Demolition to improve the vista of Ashford Church is one option, with the frontage retained.
There is a campaign by the CTA to get Ashford Borough Council to retain the cinema and invest in providing a civic theatre for the town rather than build yet more flats.Lets hope they succeed!
Listing application submitted & currently being considered by government. This has put the redevelopment plans of Ashford Borough Council on hold – read the story here: https://www.kentonline.co.uk/ashford/news/town-centre-revamp-left-in-limbo-214000/