Monument record LWT 548 - Odeon Cinema

The site of an Odeon cinema which opened in 1937 to the designs of Andrew Mather who was now set on using large vitrolite panels on Odeon frontages rather than faience tiles. However the use of this panelling resulted in a box-like effect broken-up by narrow narrow horizontal bands carrying red neon. (A few days after opening the colour of the neon was changes at the request of the Town Council as it was said to be distracting to motorists). The foyer was far more attractive than the exterior with the upper walls decorated with cartoon-like sketches drawn on cloth by Bainbridge Copnall showing various forms of sporting activity. The auditorium, however, was rather ordinary with the sloping site aiding its rake. In 1979 the cinema closed and two years later it was demolished to be replaced by a W H Smith store.