The old Odeon cinema was formerly the Regal cinema. It was designed by Cecil Masey, a well-known cinema architect, and built in 1931. It has a Spanish-style gabled front and originally had an 'atmospheric' interior and included a café, Wurlitzer organ, and full stage facilities, with flanking shops on the ground-floor frontage.It opened in February 1931, with seating for 1446 people. Taken over by the County Cinemas chain in March 1935, they were taken over by the Oscar Deutsch chain of Odeon Theatres Ltd. in 1938. The Regal cinema was closed in 1944, when it was damaged by a fire, and it remained closed for three months while repairs were carried out. It was renamed 'Odeon' in September 1961.

 

 The interior was subdivided in 1974 and the cinema closed in 2002. Now empty, the building was put up for sale in March 2012 with a price tag of £1.5 million. The cinema played a significant role in people's lives before television. It is possible that more people went into the old Odeon than any other building in the town. ​

 

 

The Explore: This was one of my very first explores that bridged the gap between when I first went to Severalls. (Read my about me page for more info) Heard about this one through the urbex grapevine, decided it would definately be a worthwhile trip if we managed to find a way inside. Jumped in the car and headed down there with a fairly large group of us, which put some of the group off upon arrival because they didn't feel 100% about going in, due to the fact we looked like a large group of neanderthals, obviously had nothing to do with the fact that there is a police station across the road from the site...

 

Most of our group at this point decided to call it a night, but me and two others wanted to do this one, quite badly, so the others made a swift exit and waited for us down the local pub! We however, marched onwards and started struggling to find a way in, it was at this point, we were about to call it a night and go meet the others, when we notice there was a gap in a wall that we had strolled right past. Quickly got inside and started exploring around.  Once inside, it was a little disappointing to see that most of the insides of this building had been stripped out and let completely bare, but still, was enjoyable, still an old and beaten piano laying around on the second floor and a random buggy for some reason.

 

 

Of course, as with any other site, live PIR's on the wall that we triggered off as soon as we gained access because we didnt notice it tucked away in the corner of a corridor, but after spending a good hour in there, it's safe to say that nobody came looking for us!