Remembering the glory days of London Road’s lost Odeon cinema
This month marks 15 years since London Road's Odeon cinema closed its doors for good.
For 74 years, the site was the home of many first dates, nights out for friends and even some of Liverpool's biggest gigs and events. And the ECHO recently took a look back at brilliant photos of the popular site through the decades[1] that were rediscovered by our archives, Mirrorpix.
Opening on October 15, 1934 and boasting famous 1930s-style features inside, the cinema started life as one of the seven UK Paramount Theatres and cost £240,000 to build. At that time, it was the largest cinema in Merseyside[2].
Some of the cinemas most famed moments through its lifetime include The Beatles playing there on December 8, 1963 and the venue hosting the northern premiere of A Hard Day's Night the following year, which was attended by the fabs themselves.[4]
The London Road Odeon closed on September 30, 2008 and was replaced the following day by the purpose-built Odeon multiplex in Liverpool ONE. After its closure, the ECHO reported how the cinema was being replaced by a brand-new 14-screen Odeon complex in Liverpool ONE.[5]
The former Odeon cinema, London Road (Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright)
On October 1, 2008, the ECHO reported: "Odeon Cinemas has sold the landmark building but today declined to comment on its future use. Wayne Colquhoun, of the Liverpool Preservation Trust, said action must be taken in the next few months to safeguard the cinema’s future and prevent the city end of London Road becoming more rundown.
He said: "I am very sorry to hear the Odeon in London Road has gone. I have fond childhood memories of going there and other picturehouses around when it was a hive of activity.
"Buildings like this deteriorate from within and the next couple of months, once it is empty, will be crucial. A new use should be found for the building and hopefully it will not go the same way as the ABC cinema."
A spokesman at the time said: “We would like to thank all the guests who have visited the London Road cinema over the years and look forward to welcoming them to the Odeon in Liverpool One." But the site was later demolished and all that remains are photos and memories of those who went there, from seeing cult classic films there when they first came out to celebrating special occasions.
ECHO readers recently took to our Facebook page to share their fond memories of the lost Odeon on London Road. Lillian Ryder said: "Loved the Odeon, went there a lot."
Ciara Kelly said: "We were here all the time when we were younger - how everything has changed. Brings childhood memories back." Terry Williams posted: "Seen a lot here, think the last one was one of the Saw films."
Farid Malki commented: "I’ve been to see Kramer vs Kramer! I used to work in late 70s few yards from the "Odeon Cinema," in the “American burger bar and the chez Paris Restaurant”!." Kathleen Doyle commented: "Saw Everly Brothers, Rolling Stones, little Richard, Bo Diddley (all on the same bill) here in 1963!!."
Barbara Margaret Sloan posted: "Special treat for my mum, “Sound of Music” at the Odeon." Hayley Webb wrote: "Went to see ABBA the movie there with my Grandad ha."
Christopher James Yates wrote: "Treasure planet was the first time I went here on my own x." Tony Dowling said: "My first film Bedknobs and Broomsticks as a child, last time I went was on a first date with my now wife."
Sue Georgeson said: "Brilliant picture house, we saw most of the Harry Potter films there." Roma Goffett posted: "Went most weeks. Saw great films."
Sarah Jayne posted: "Had my first ever proper date here at the age of 13, watched View To A Kill and even had a quick kiss on the back seat." David Jones commented: "Went to the Beatles premier night, luckily got a ticket."
What are your memories of London Road's Odeon? Let us know in the comments section below.
Robbie Mcneil said: "Went to see Ghostbusters there for my first ever London Road experience!." Jacqueline Mcgee said: "Went to see Rocky 3 there! … my Art Teacher served my sister. Working two jobs, legend!."
Michelle Willis said: "Went there loads when I was in my first year of university." Jawahier Fatima Ali wrote: "Amazing memories. Watched Love Actually there for the first time."
Interior of the old Odeon cinema in London Road (Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright)
Terry Williams wrote: "Saw my first ever film here, 101 Dalmatian’s, must of been about 1984." Ryan Kilroe commented: "Brings back some memories this."
June Shimmin posted: "The Odeon was a lovely cinema, I remember going to see Alfred Hitchcock. Psycho there.." Colette O'regan said: "I worked there in my holidays when I was a student. Loved it, I was an old fashioned usherette, selling ice creams from a tray, leading people to their seats using a torch if the film had started. Wonderful."
Join the Liverpool ECHO's memories and history WhatsApp community[6]
Colin Hughes wrote: "Sat through three consecutive showing of the Jungle Book when it came out with my mum...sang all the songs on the way home on the bus...oh memories xxxx." Ray Wall commented: "Went to see Jaws there. I seem to remember buying jelly sharks at the show."
David Fagan posted: "Probably the best cinema in the city." And Joseph Wright said: "Sound of Music with my mum and brother 1965. It was showing for two years."
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References
- ^ brilliant photos of the popular site through the decades (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ it was the largest cinema in Merseyside (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Brilliant scenes from Liverpool's lost Odeon cinema on London Road (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ which was attended by the fabs themselves. (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Liverpool ONE. (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Join the Liverpool ECHO's memories and history WhatsApp community (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ Liverpool ECHO by signing up here (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)