Bob Dylan at the Odeon, Newcastle

Sadly, the Odeon no longer functions as a cinema or a music venue and is currently one of several run-down eyesores that make Pilgrim Street a terrible thoroughfare to welcome visitors to Newcastle. Various - probably not concrete - plans to redevelop it came to nothing. Unfortunately, the owners of this once grand art deco cinema gutted the place in 2001, removing many of the features that qualified it for its then listed status; ironically, the 'brutalist' T. Dan Smith-era building on stilts next to it has been reprieved thanks to Freddie Shepherd, no doubt in search of a new toy after the mess he allegedly made of St James' Park.

The Odeon a couple of years before it closed - the street had seen better days

Former Odeon cinema due to be flattened
Jan 28 2010 by Adrian Pearson
Evening Chronicle

SILVER screen dreams are shattered as demolition crews prepare to flatten Newcastle’s former Odeon cinema.

City Council leader Coun John Shipley said he wants to see for himself if there is anything worth saving in the American-style cinema on Pilgrim Street.

He has said there is little chance of stopping demolition work linked to council plans to redevelop land around East Pilgrim Street.

But the council boss wants opponents of the demolition to know for sure if there is anything worth saving inside.

His promise to inspect the site comes after the Government ended a four-year wait and ruled out any chance of once again listing the cinema.

When the building lost its listed status in 2001 the then owners stripped it of many of its interior fitting which were vital to regaining its privileged position.

Mr Shipley said: “I want to go and look for myself to see what some people might want saving.

“It is my understanding there is little the council can do to oppose this unless the building is listed or in a conservation area, but I think people should be given the chance to see what state it is in.”

Many of the original fixtures and fittings were removed in 2003, with some going to the nearby Tyneside Cinema.

Critics have branded the Government’s four-year wait to reveal the buildings future as ridiculous.

John Burns, director of Newcastle architects Mackellar, said the prospect of re-listing “became less likely after the trashing of the interior”.

But he added: “The cinema building is still culturally important and is one of the best surviving examples even in its present condition.”

John Matthews, spokesman for the Northumberland and Newcastle Society, said: “The way this has been handled has been atrocious and inexcusable.”

A Department of Culture, Media and Sport spokesman said: “After careful consideration the Secretary of State has decided not to add the building to the statutory list.

“The Secretary of State has considered the building’s architectural interest, but considers the extent of the changes made to the interior to allow for the division of the original auditorium has altered the building to the point where listing is inappropriate.”

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2010/01/28/former-odeon-cinema-due-to-be-flattened-72703-25705691/