The Old Odeon

Hidden behind this derelict exterior is the old Odeon Cinema, Aylesbury, fitting the double challenge criteria of 'Hidden' in the October Word Challenge and 'Derelict Thursday'
One of the original Oscar Deutsch built Odeon theatres, it opened on 21st June 1937 with Shirley Temple in "Dimples".
The exterior has four vertical fins over the entrance, which have three narrow glazed windows between them. Inside the auditorium there were troughs across the ceiling which contained concealed lighting. Seating was provided for 954 in the stalls and 497 in the circle.
In 1973 it was converted into a 3-screen cinema with one larger screen and two mini ones. It was re-furbished in 1984 and closed on 30th October 1999 with ABC Cinemas about to open a new 6-screen multiplex in the town - later to be operated by Odeon.

The building was purchased by the Sainsbury supermarket chain, to enable a new store and car park to be built on the site. Planning permission has been given, but so far the closed-down former Odeon still sits awaiting its fate. I find it so sad to see something which was once magnificent and useful to be abandoned.

In March 2008 two brothers investigated the interior; their video footage can be seen here if you are interested.