I think it was even earlier than that, I cannot recall them being open much after 2000. There has been some activity in the last week or so, with capanac leisure vans appearing outside, although I haven’t seen anymore fittings being removed. I will keep you informed as I pass almost everyday being a bus driver.
The Odeon was not converted into a bingo hall. There were plans to open it for various schemes including a snooker hall, but none ever came to fruition. It remained boarded up and out of use until it was bought by a family from Billingham (Anne Marie-Bell I believe) in the early/mid 90’s, they planned to turn it into a cabaret venue/ nightclub with 2 cinemas in the upper sections,(To be called Park Avenue). Unfortunately, they ran out of money before it was completed and the building was again sold (by auction) to Hartlepool based Capanac Leisure. They turned part of the former stalls area into a bar called ‘Joe Pools’ with the remaining stalls, stage and the front section of the circle all being opened as Caesars Palace. The two cinema rooms built by the previous owners are understood to remain empty behind the balcony of Caesars Palace. The entire complex closed a few years ago and is now up for sale for £500,000. It is in a very sorry state with water damage on the front wall, near to the stage area. Most of the windows located on the upper foyer and floor above have never been replaced since it closed in 1981 and the building is rife with pigeons. The smell from inside is so strong it is very noticable from behind the roller shutters on the main entrance. Capanac workers have been removing various furnishing and sound/lighting fittings in recent months, so it appears they are stripping it out. There has been a study taken on behalf of the council to try and find alternative uses for the building (conversion to appartments being one suggested).
Was in Melton Mowbray just before christmas 2004. The cinema now only occupies the balcony area, with the entire stalls/stage area having been used as a bingo hall. This part of the building is now occupied by a large bar called ‘The Cutting Room’. The dividing wall at the front of the balcony where the screen is now located is used by the bar to project television pictures. The main bar and toilets are located in the area where the stage and original screen would have been located. I have been in the cinema once (about 6 years ago) it now probably holds about 200-250.
The cinema now has a price tag asking for offers in the region of £500,000. As large parts of the building have not been used since Odeon closed it in 1981, there is a great deal of work needed. (Caesars only occupied the front circle and entire stalls / lower foyer area. The upper foyer, projection rooms / offices were never brought back into use. The windows along the side of the building on both the upper foyer level and projection room level were never replaced and have been open to the elements for 23 years. Passing by, there are a number of pigeons and other birds entering the building by these windows.) I have recent photos of the exterior of the building, which I will send when the add photos is back online.
I think it was even earlier than that, I cannot recall them being open much after 2000. There has been some activity in the last week or so, with capanac leisure vans appearing outside, although I haven’t seen anymore fittings being removed. I will keep you informed as I pass almost everyday being a bus driver.
The Odeon was not converted into a bingo hall. There were plans to open it for various schemes including a snooker hall, but none ever came to fruition. It remained boarded up and out of use until it was bought by a family from Billingham (Anne Marie-Bell I believe) in the early/mid 90’s, they planned to turn it into a cabaret venue/ nightclub with 2 cinemas in the upper sections,(To be called Park Avenue). Unfortunately, they ran out of money before it was completed and the building was again sold (by auction) to Hartlepool based Capanac Leisure. They turned part of the former stalls area into a bar called ‘Joe Pools’ with the remaining stalls, stage and the front section of the circle all being opened as Caesars Palace. The two cinema rooms built by the previous owners are understood to remain empty behind the balcony of Caesars Palace. The entire complex closed a few years ago and is now up for sale for £500,000. It is in a very sorry state with water damage on the front wall, near to the stage area. Most of the windows located on the upper foyer and floor above have never been replaced since it closed in 1981 and the building is rife with pigeons. The smell from inside is so strong it is very noticable from behind the roller shutters on the main entrance. Capanac workers have been removing various furnishing and sound/lighting fittings in recent months, so it appears they are stripping it out. There has been a study taken on behalf of the council to try and find alternative uses for the building (conversion to appartments being one suggested).
Was in Melton Mowbray just before christmas 2004. The cinema now only occupies the balcony area, with the entire stalls/stage area having been used as a bingo hall. This part of the building is now occupied by a large bar called ‘The Cutting Room’. The dividing wall at the front of the balcony where the screen is now located is used by the bar to project television pictures. The main bar and toilets are located in the area where the stage and original screen would have been located. I have been in the cinema once (about 6 years ago) it now probably holds about 200-250.
The cinema now has a price tag asking for offers in the region of £500,000. As large parts of the building have not been used since Odeon closed it in 1981, there is a great deal of work needed. (Caesars only occupied the front circle and entire stalls / lower foyer area. The upper foyer, projection rooms / offices were never brought back into use. The windows along the side of the building on both the upper foyer level and projection room level were never replaced and have been open to the elements for 23 years. Passing by, there are a number of pigeons and other birds entering the building by these windows.) I have recent photos of the exterior of the building, which I will send when the add photos is back online.