Talks go on to resolve future of landmark site

7:00am Saturday 6th October 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Jo Winrow, City Hall Reporter

Odeon 2 following the removal of contaminated seats and carpet Picture by Mike Bottomley of BORG Odeon 2 following the removal of contaminated seats and carpet Picture by Mike Bottomley of BORG

Photographs of the interior of Bradford’s Odeon building have been released by rescue group campaigners.

The images show the contrasting interiors of two of the rooms that were used for screening films when it was a cinema – one following the removal of the cinema wall drapes with seating intact and another following the removal of asbestos, the seats and carpet.

Bradford Odeon Rescue Group (BORG) spokesman Mark Nicholson said: “The inside of the Odeon is certainly not as bad as many had been told.

“We are optimistic that a developer could, indeed, make use of the main structure of the building as it is. Some work had to be done to rid the building of asbestos, and it’s true to say that some carpets and seats had to go as they had been contaminated.

“However, Artez, the contractors, have been sympathetic to the majority of the building and I can report that BORG are much more confident today than we were a few weeks ago.”

He added the group’s thanks to the HCA for making the visit possible.

BORG is to launch a new website next week and will then publish more photographs of the visit.

It now two weeks since the HCA, which inherited the building a year ago, terminated a legal agreement with developer Langtree, which had wanted to demolish the 1930s building and build a £40 million New Victoria Place development of offices, a hotel and apartments.

The HCA took action after Langtree called for more time to market its scheme to potential occupants, and had delayed the signing of a vital Section 106 agreement, which would have triggered an eight-month period in the development agreement.

This failed to comply with the terms of the agreement, said the HCA, so it took the decision to terminate it.

Members of BORG have also been back in contact with a local developer who is still interested in restoring the Odeon. The proposal is expected to be unveiled shortly.

A spokesman for the HCA said: “We were happy to honour our offer to take members of BORG inside the former Odeon once we had removed the asbestos and made it safe. During the visit, we explained that we had been preventing further deterioration to the structure and fabric of the building, such as repairing the roof and replacing damaged sections of the steelwork. We will continue to protect and maintain the building while we resolve its future.

“We are currently talking to Bradford Council about the potential transfer of the site and how we might involve the community in examining viable options for the building.”

Comments(35)

Joedavid says...
8:01am Sat 6 Oct 12

Can it be confirmed the now famous cut rain water drain pipes have been repaired?
It is good to read good news on the building at last.

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Mik_e says...
10:31am Sat 6 Oct 12

Why is this story in the KEIGHLEY news?

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bcfc1903 says...
11:59am Sat 6 Oct 12

Probably because many people from Keighley want the building refurbished. I live in Keighley.

**

Why don't Bradford Council make the Odeon building into a world class concert, art and conference centre. I'd name it the Delius, Rothenstein and Wolfe as a tribute to the German/ German Jewish community that did so much to build Bradford into a great city.

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Albion. says...
12:08pm Sat 6 Oct 12

bcfc1903 wrote:
Probably because many people from Keighley want the building refurbished. I live in Keighley.

**

Why don't Bradford Council make the Odeon building into a world class concert, art and conference centre. I'd name it the Delius, Rothenstein and Wolfe as a tribute to the German/ German Jewish community that did so much to build Bradford into a great city.
It is currently available to developers with similar ideas to that.

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Avro says...
1:05pm Sat 6 Oct 12

They keep banging on about about how good the interior is, yet for more than 10 years no developer has seen the same vision.

Are we now goung to have another 10 years of saving it whilst it seems there is no real desire from any developer to save it?

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Albion. says...
1:11pm Sat 6 Oct 12

Avro wrote:
They keep banging on about about how good the interior is, yet for more than 10 years no developer has seen the same vision.

Are we now goung to have another 10 years of saving it whilst it seems there is no real desire from any developer to save it?
"Members of BORG have also been back in contact with a local developer who is still interested in restoring the Odeon. The proposal is expected to be unveiled shortly."
Wait and see!

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dorny1971 says...
3:00pm Sat 6 Oct 12

If the proposal is acceptable and viable, then great - we might see something happen.

If it isnt, it may well be time to accept that a developer is unlikely unless they are granted permission to remove the existing building.

It would be a shame, but not as bad as leaving it derelict for another 10 bloody years.

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beardedclam says...
3:08pm Sat 6 Oct 12

Pull this monstrosity of a building down. Too many people in Bradford that are stuck in the past with their views of this eyesore.
It's been too long, get over it!

Demolish it and build another building.

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Joedavid says...
6:33pm Sat 6 Oct 12

Avro wrote:
They keep banging on about about how good the interior is, yet for more than 10 years no developer has seen the same vision.

Are we now goung to have another 10 years of saving it whilst it seems there is no real desire from any developer to save it?
Because the previous owner, Yorkshire Forward, only asked for developers who would demolish it first.

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nhoj890 says...
7:01pm Sat 6 Oct 12

i think the odeon should reopen in the city centre,bring people back to the city centre,lets face it,it was closed to low figures entering,becuase of multiplex cinemas,well sorry but i went to see the last harry potter when it came out at thornbury and there was about 50 people there,its the cost of going thats the issue,it was 18 pounds combined for me and my dad,i loved going to odeon central bradford,u were near the pubs after the film,plus mutiplex cinemas are ok but to be honest 3 or so screens show the same film at different times anyway,and the choice of movies these days isnt that great anyhow,c,mon people it would bring people back in to the centre, from john

Like · · 5 hours ago ·

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still got a pulse says...
7:40pm Sat 6 Oct 12

May I suggest that anyone with the slightest interest in the future of the Odeon building, or indeed the future of the city centre, take the time to have a look at the following website? Many questions are answered on there, too many to detail here. Maybe after reading you may just think differently regarding demolition, redevelopment etc.

http://www.cityoffil
m.co.uk/

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doubledigiter says...
8:01pm Sat 6 Oct 12

Love the comment from nhoj890! I remember the good old days when we would see big queues outside waiting to go watch the newest big film. Going to the cinema these days is not as attractive of course for many reasons - the recession, the increasing cost of going to the cinema and modern technology meaning people do find other ways of watching newly released films at home , but I do also think that out of town multiplexes have also contributed to the decline in cinema attendances. If you don't drive then who wants to get on public transport to travel possibly to the other side of the city depending on where you live just to watch a film? The city centre is far more accessible and convenient for those who neto travel by public transport and of course there are lots of other amenities in a city centre than an out of town multiplex site - such as pubs/clubs/bars as nhoj890 alludes to. Ah for the good old days! :)

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Shauny-Boy says...
8:36pm Sat 6 Oct 12

Multiplex cinemas are just a con, Mote than a tenner for carton of popcorn and a large cola. The monopolies commission should visit these places and do something, at least Dick Turpin wore a mask!!

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nhoj890 says...
8:45pm Sat 6 Oct 12

cheers double ,i went in 1997 to odeon 2 to watch the star wars trilogy special edition,it was packed out

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jimmy k says...
9:10pm Sat 6 Oct 12

who cares it's bradford why put it on the keighley news site,that city has taken over our lives for far too long and now it looks like it's even taking over our local paper.

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thelastmanstanding says...
10:15pm Sat 6 Oct 12

This Odean building saga has been going on as long as the westfield site saga.

They will talk and talk and talk about what they are going to do with this building for another 10-15 years, by which point the structure will be unsafe and they building will have to be demolished, and then BRAdford will have a second hole in the ground....which will be there for 10+ years whilst the council talk and talk and talk about what they are going to build on it.

AND half you dafties reading this will still vote liblabCON or even worse...RESPECT, even though they have proved with the Odean and Westfield to be completely unfit for purpose.

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nhoj890 says...
10:40pm Sat 6 Oct 12

i dont vote for any party ,just like to see some respect for this once great city,if ye dont wanna hear about things here why live here or even comment?

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johnhem says...
10:51pm Sat 6 Oct 12

thelastmanstanding wrote:
This Odean building saga has been going on as long as the westfield site saga.

They will talk and talk and talk about what they are going to do with this building for another 10-15 years, by which point the structure will be unsafe and they building will have to be demolished, and then BRAdford will have a second hole in the ground....which will be there for 10+ years whilst the council talk and talk and talk about what they are going to build on it.

AND half you dafties reading this will still vote liblabCON or even worse...RESPECT, even though they have proved with the Odean and Westfield to be completely unfit for purpose.
so we can't vote lib or lab or con, seems respect is out too. so whats the options then? bnp? greens (duh nooo) or ... oh yeah you must be a ukip supporter.
the one building in bradford that blends in perfectly with the building next door and the wallies want to demolish it? so much for progress, one step forward 2 steps back.

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What now says...
1:15am Sun 7 Oct 12

People are missing the point as far as I am concerned.
.
What we should completely understand is that this council has over the years lied to the public, concerning the state of the interior, whether or not you agree / disagree with this building, we all should understand the the council has lied to the public.

We were led to belief that the interior was beyond saving, had it not been for members of B.O.R.G, who brought to our attention the actual state and also the lies being told, i belief that the building would have been demolished.
.
Subsequently the council and others over the years have been able to dismantle the interior, in their underhanded attempt to take it beyond economical recovery.
.
Bradford council have told lies in the past..to name one for your attention, Rawson market, they were told that they would be back within a couple of years...not so, yet again this lie was proved.
.
We have had the fiasco with westfield and the hole, no penalty clauses, no get out's, no nothing.
.
Bradford council have steered this town to economical ruin.
.
Austerity started in 2007, The Odeon closed in 2000, westfield was signed in 1999.
.
Although i for one would like to see this building restored like so many buildings around the country have...this post is about the council telling lies to the people of this town.

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bcfc1903 says...
2:19am Sun 7 Oct 12

I was there when the council voted to demolish the Odeon building, a more bent as a nine bob note meeting will not have been held anywhere else in the country...shocking stuff and a complete disgrace, democracy...that meeting seemed to be anything but. It's a nobrainer of a decision, refurb it making it a world class concert, art and conference centre bring folk with cash into the city centre, surely even our inept councillors of all colours can grasp this concept.

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Joedavid says...
8:28am Sun 7 Oct 12

Lets look forward please, yes I agree the Council at that meeting I think you refer to I was there and felt the applications were going to be rejected, the the councils solicitor took the panel on one side and planning approval was given to demolish.
That's past lets us look forward now to a Council and HCA meeting to agree with the BORG resortation plans and these three and the rest of us get behind them.

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shipleybird says...
1:09pm Sun 7 Oct 12

It is a monstrosity, we need to pull the ugly building down and build something decent in its place - I dont really care what it is as long as it doesnt cost the tax payer anything, there are far more urgent and needy causes right now like covering the £80m cuts imposed on Bradford Council by this right wing, Tory led government..

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shipleybird says...
1:12pm Sun 7 Oct 12

point to note:

In response to 'what now says', when you say this council, lets not forget that it was run by a Tory/Libdem coalition for 10 years from 2000 until 2010...

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vax2002 says...
1:37pm Sun 7 Oct 12

So if the seats and carpets were asbestos contaminated what about those who sat in them ?

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converse1 says...
3:04pm Sun 7 Oct 12

The contamination was from falling debris from asbestos contained in the ceiling coating. Good to see some common sense at last! Looking forward to the coming developments. Exciting times!

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bcfc1903 says...
3:26pm Sun 7 Oct 12

Joedavid wrote:
Lets look forward please, yes I agree the Council at that meeting I think you refer to I was there and felt the applications were going to be rejected, the the councils solicitor took the panel on one side and planning approval was given to demolish.
That's past lets us look forward now to a Council and HCA meeting to agree with the BORG resortation plans and these three and the rest of us get behind them.
I don't know what you've seen in my posts that might suggest anything other than me looking forward to Borg, HCA and the council getting this building back to it's former glory, i certainly don't agree that the authors of this mess should not be reminded of the disgrace that took place in that council meeting though. I believe It's been well documented that the solicitor was in fact wrong.

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thelastmanstanding says...
4:35pm Sun 7 Oct 12

johnhem wrote:
thelastmanstanding wrote:
This Odean building saga has been going on as long as the westfield site saga.

They will talk and talk and talk about what they are going to do with this building for another 10-15 years, by which point the structure will be unsafe and they building will have to be demolished, and then BRAdford will have a second hole in the ground....which will be there for 10+ years whilst the council talk and talk and talk about what they are going to build on it.

AND half you dafties reading this will still vote liblabCON or even worse...RESPECT, even though they have proved with the Odean and Westfield to be completely unfit for purpose.
so we can't vote lib or lab or con, seems respect is out too. so whats the options then? bnp? greens (duh nooo) or ... oh yeah you must be a ukip supporter.
the one building in bradford that blends in perfectly with the building next door and the wallies want to demolish it? so much for progress, one step forward 2 steps back.
I would vote for any of the three you mentioned. I would rather vote for the monster raving looney party than liblabCONRes

I would rather vote for the guy (or gal) that has never been given a chance to make a difference, rather than those who have been empowered and have proved time and time again that they are unfit for purpose.

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stiflers mom says...
9:10am Mon 8 Oct 12

bcfc1903 wrote:
Probably because many people from Keighley want the building refurbished. I live in Keighley.

**

Why don't Bradford Council make the Odeon building into a world class concert, art and conference centre. I'd name it the Delius, Rothenstein and Wolfe as a tribute to the German/ German Jewish community that did so much to build Bradford into a great city.
Unfortunatly they would have to move it brick by brick to another city to make it into a world class venue of any kind

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bcfc1903 says...
3:41pm Mon 8 Oct 12

stiflers mom wrote:
bcfc1903 wrote:
Probably because many people from Keighley want the building refurbished. I live in Keighley.

**

Why don't Bradford Council make the Odeon building into a world class concert, art and conference centre. I'd name it the Delius, Rothenstein and Wolfe as a tribute to the German/ German Jewish community that did so much to build Bradford into a great city.
Unfortunatly they would have to move it brick by brick to another city to make it into a world class venue of any kind
Not quite sure of the thinking behind this comment or even if there actually was any. Bradford already has many world class buildings, in fact 6,000 of the districts buildings are listed, so a world class venue would simply add to the many jems already built .

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stiflers mom says...
4:26pm Mon 8 Oct 12

i wholeheartedly agree Bradford does have world class architecture my point is that this once proud city has degenerated into such a sh!t hole that noboby comes to visit ,the people in city centre and its surroundings look like a cross between shaun of the dead and mad max behond thunderdrome !!!

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stiflers mom says...
4:34pm Mon 8 Oct 12

If the odeon building were in any other major city in the uk it would have been restored to its former glory years ago

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Joedavid says...
5:06pm Mon 8 Oct 12

stiflers mom wrote:
If the odeon building were in any other major city in the uk it would have been restored to its former glory years ago
Other places have fights too a friend is in Carlisle and not looking good there.
http://www.newsandst
ar.co.uk/news/news-f
ocus/the-fight-to-sa
ve-carlisle-s-lonsda
le-building-is-over-
1.982743?referrerPat
h=/

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jimmy k says...
8:26pm Mon 8 Oct 12

Joedavid wrote:
stiflers mom wrote: If the odeon building were in any other major city in the uk it would have been restored to its former glory years ago
Other places have fights too a friend is in Carlisle and not looking good there. http://www.newsandst ar.co.uk/news/news-f ocus/the-fight-to-sa ve-carlisle-s-lonsda le-building-is-over- 1.982743?referrerPat h=/
the mistake here is calling bradford a major city.bcfc1903 if you live in keighley why don't you comment on the kn website?i know keighley is just a mere cash cow to bradford but you could st least take part in the debate.

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Joedavid says...
10:28pm Mon 8 Oct 12

I was born in Keighley and teenagers back then came to the Gaumont New Victoria and the orginal Odeon here in Bradford as Keighley did not have the Rank cinemas so to see first runs of films had to come through to Bradford.

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still got a pulse says...
11:33pm Mon 8 Oct 12

Joedavid wrote:
I was born in Keighley and teenagers back then came to the Gaumont New Victoria and the orginal Odeon here in Bradford as Keighley did not have the Rank cinemas so to see first runs of films had to come through to Bradford.
And it could all happen again if the authorities had the foresight to make use of this absolutely iconic building and put it to use in a way to benefit all. Reuse is still the most economical option, and will give far more reaching benefits for the whole region! Again I would refer to the following link to learn more. Stay tuned folks - things are happening.http://www
.cityoffilm.co.uk/

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