Chester’s former Odeon cinema could bought for community use

Jul 28 2011 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

COUNCILLORS will tonight be asked to agree the purchase of Chester’s former Odeon building for conversion into an arts venue and possible theatre.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s full council will make the decision behind closed doors because it is commercially sensitive.

Such a move would quash fears that current owners the Brook Group intend to turn the vacant art deco building into a nightclub.

Council leader Mike Jones has previously expressed the view the Odeon could be used as an arts venue and it remains one of two possible options for a new theatre – the other being the Little Roodee car park site.

Three petitions relating to Chester's new theatre will be debated in the earlier public section of the meeting.

Former MP Christine Russell has put in a 1,267 signature petition asking the council to support the campaign by the Odeon Action Group and city centre traders to bring the Odeon back into use as a theatre and cinema.

A petition raised by Wendy Hewitt with 586 names also calls for the Odeon to be the city's new arts and culture centre.

Former lord mayor Jim Latham has presented a petition with 3,017 names calling on the council to review its decision to consider only two sites for the new theatre.

Mr Latham, an architect, believes further consideration should be given to all the potentially available land behind the library on the Princess Street bus exchange site.

This week the council revealed it will not now carry out an archaeological dig at the Little Roodee car park unless and until it is chosen at the preferred location for the theatre. Previously the council delayed making a decision on the two sites citing factors including the need to assess the underground remains.