Former Odeon cinema, Clerk Street
Let's save it!
The final date for objections to DHP's plans for demolition was 8th April 2011. The fate of this building now lies with the Council's Planning Committee. Here's who to lobby.
See what our supporters say below
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The former Odeon cinema building on Clerk Street has been lying empty for a number of years now, and we are concerned that the building is deteriorating to the point where it will be said to be "beyond economic repair". We would like to see the building brough back to life, as it were, restored to its former glory, and open as a cinema / arts venue.
When it closed as an Odeon, back in 2003, it was bought by Duddingston House Properties, who drew up plans to convert the main auditorium space in to a hotel. Their plans involved a partial demolition of the building, and a loss of many fine architectural features.
Historic Scotland stepped in, and as a result DHP were refused Listed Building Consent to make the changes they planned. The building was put back on the market, and in January 2011 a number of bids were received by DHP.
The bidders made presentations to the Community Council in the autumn, and showed us how they planned to restore the building and bring it back into use. We were pleased and impressed by what we saw.
Sadly, DHP turned down all the offers, saying they were not high enough, and applied again for Listed Building Consent for partial demolition of the auditorium. We strongly oppose this, and urged people to put in objections to the City of Edinburgh Council before the closing date of 8th April, and after that to lobby Councillors before the committee hearing which we expect to be on 11th May.
We are concerned about the state of the building. We have seen photos (in the Evening News) showing how water and vermin have been getting in, and how the fabric of the building is falling apart.
We wrote, and handed in a 4300 signature petition to the CEC asking them to initiate urgent repairs on the building, and also to start compulsory purchase proceedings to buy the building from DHP and sell it to someone who will restore it and bring it back to use. An open letter asking for urgent repairs went from two local MPs and seven local MSPs to the CEC.
We understand that because the money was not handed over, nor the legal agreements signed, DHP does not currently even have planning permission for its scheme to build a hotel where the Odeon now stands.
| AHSS | Cockburn Association | Scottish Civic Trust |
Commenting on the campaign to save the Odeon:
Edinburgh Central MSP Sarah Boyack said:
“The Odeon building is an extremely important part of Edinburgh’s architectural heritage and a building which the people of the Southside remain extremely passionate about.
“It is an important part of Scotland’s cinema history and given the love that people have for this old building I would be delighted see it turned in to a facility which could continue as an important cultural venue.
“It is extremely sad to see the level of deterioration to the building’s fabric which has developed over the last few years and it is clear action must be taken. I am aware of proposals from several parties for arts and community uses which would restore and maintain the interior.
“I believe it would be a huge missed opportunity if these proposals were not given a fair hearing.”
Alexander McCall Smith says: “The Odeon is a great local asset – I very much hope it can be saved.”
World Champion Boxer Alex Arthur who lives in the Southside says:
“My wife and I had our first date at the Odeon and we continued to go there for years. I’m a real Southside lad, and apart from training at the boxing gym in Leith, I’ve never gone far away. The Southside would benefit from a local cinema, and I would like to take my sons there some day.”
Edinburgh East MP Sheila Gilmore says:
“I am delighted to add my support to the saving of this iconic building, and bringing it back into use by the community”
See her letter of objection
Ian Murray, MP for Edinburgh South says:
“Iconic and historic buildings must be preserved wherever possible. The ‘Odeon’ building is one of the finest amphitheatres in Europe and must be preserved. Local community groups and residents are fighting hard to save the building. Let’s all do as much as we can to preserve the Odeon for future generations. For many local people around the ‘Odeon’ it would be a convenient local cinema. It is certainly a place I would frequent given its locality to where I live.”
Some comments from the petition:
This building could provide a fantastic cinema, music arts space that would benefit all Edinburgh residents. I would love to see it repaired and restored for this use, for the community and for Edinburgh.
This building is deteriorating for no good reason. I've worked in it as a successful fringe venue and attempted to hire the building from DHP on multiple occasions in order to operate it as a Fringe venue. They have refused to allow this claiming the building is "dangerous" which was clearly not the case at the time. DHP are trying to keep this place boarded up and out of the public eye. It's an asset to the southside and should be restored to its former glory where I'm sure it will continue to provide entertainment to the people of Edinburgh and beyond for many many years to come.
Save this building, let it be brought back to life in a way that is of use to the community!
Urgent action needs to be taken NOW to save this building.
Such a waste of a beautiful building to just leave it to rot! Save our cinema.
I grew up with the Odeon on Clerk Street. It was great to have a cinema on that side of town. The building needs to be saved and restored.
It's seems too easy to let important cultural landmarks disappear for the sake of short term financial gains. It is vitally important that we protect the best and most significant buildings in Edinburgh and if possible, as with the New Victoria project, attempt to breath new life into them. I urge you to go forward with compulsory purchasing of the property to bring allow restoration of this fine and important building to begin as soon as possible.
keep this amazing building alive for the community!
This lovely building must not only be saved but brought back to its former glory as a venue for the whole community.
This cinema was a massive part of my childhood and it would be a complete waste to see it disappear. We need to cherish our past and the amazing buildings that we are so lucky to have in this city.
In the 1950s I used to queue along St Patrick Square to get into the New Vic as it was then for the children's matinees every Saturday morning with my pals. Flash Gordon, Norman Wisdom, Bud Abbott and The Crazy Gang were among my favourites. We sang Tulips from Amsterdam, Scotland the Brave and others before the cartoon feature. Then came the serial and the interval to be followed by the main film. At the end we all stood proudly for God Save the Queen, of course. The New Vic is a part of what I am as much as my family, friends and schools are. It deserves to play a part in the lives of following generations of Edinbugers. I wish you/us success in the bid to save the Odeon (New Victoria).
See what the papers had to say recently
Evening News 7th AprilEvening News 5th April
Evening News 9th April