Nightclub firm says Chester Odeon ‘not for sale’

Feb 18 2010 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

OWNERS of the former Chester Odeon have dismissed speculation the building could be sold to an independent cinema chain.

Gary Hunt, chief operating officer for the Brook Group, was commenting after it was reported Reel Cinemas Ltd might be interested in buying the building with a view to reopening it as a cinema.

Mr Hunt, who plans to convert the venue into a nightclub, piano bar, restaurant, single screen cinema and café, said: “We have been in touch with them historically and they said they were not interested.

“If there is something fresh we are happy to listen.

“They won’t be able to buy it – the building is worth a lot of money – but they might be able to rent the cinema space.”

Brook’s planning application to convert the premises has just been withdrawn.

Mr Hunt said this was to allow ‘more time’ to revise the plans in the light of comments made during the public consultation.

The chief operating officer said the Brook scheme would bring more investment and jobs to Chester and get a boarded-up building back into use.

“We are trying to do something positive for Chester,” he added.

Meanwhile, campaigners opposed to a nightclub in that location have interpreted Brook’s withdrawal of the scheme as a minor victory.

Ex-Lord Mayor James Latham, a former architect, collected more than 500 names for a petition against the application.

He said: “We want to make it plain to them that to destroy this as a cinema or for a possible cultural use is just not on.

“They would be best advised to sell it to someone who is willing to do that.”