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Odeon cinema to close after 83 years of film viewings
11/05/2023
The Regal on Banbury Horsefair opened on 7th October 1940
After 83 years the last films are set to be shown at Banbury’s Odeon cinema. Originally called The Regal, the cinema on Banbury Horsefair opened on 7th October 1940.
A spokesperson has confirmed the closure to Banbury FM and said that it followed “a thorough assessment of all available options”. The group is hoping to find employment at their other cinemas for as many of the affected staff as possible.
When The Regal first opened the auditorium provided seating for 897 people in stalls and at circle levels. Under new owners it was re-named The Essoldo in 1956. The Classic Cinemas chain took over in 1972 and spit the venue into two screens, with screen 1 in the former stalls and screen 2 in the former circle.
In 1986 the Classic became Cannon and ten years later it was renamed the ABC. Odeon took over and re-named the cinema Odeon in October 2001.
A spokesperson for the Odeon Group told Banbury FM: “We can confirm that we have made the difficult decision to close our Banbury cinema following a thorough assessment of all available options. We would like to apologise to our guests for any inconvenience this will cause.
“Supporting the ODEON Banbury team is our number one priority, and we would like to thank our colleagues for all their incredible work over the years at the cinema. We will be looking to secure jobs for as many of them as possible in our other local cinemas.”
As part of the Castle Quay Waterside development Banbury was given a second cinema. The new multi-screen venue is operated by The Light group and opened in June last year.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam
Paul Bunnage On 11/07/2024 at 6:44 pm
I wonder if the council giving planning permission for the second cinema at Castle Quay Waterside sealed the fate of the classic traditional venue? If it did, then shame on you. Any backhanders involved?