Plans to resurrect the closed Odeon cinema in Oxford have been submitted, raising hopes for film fans in the city.
Whyatt started a company called Roxy Movies. He wants to turn the Odeon into a cinema and cafe. He asked the city to open daily, with proposed hours from 8:30 AM to 11:30 PM. He previously restored cinemas in other areas.
Oxford’s other Odeon closed in January; it was in Gloucester Green. The city plans to redevelop that site. People called the closure a big loss, as it was one of the last family cinemas. Oxford now has four other cinemas, and one may close.
The Vue near Kassam Stadium could be leaving. It is part of the Ozone Leisure Park plan, and developers might include a smaller cinema with three or four screens. People started a petition to save the Vue, and over two thousand have signed it to date.
People said that the Vue is easy to access and that it’s a short drive. The Curzon is far and harder to reach, and buses take more planning and time.
The Magdalen Street cinema opened in 1924. It changed owners several times before Odeon bought it. Frank Matcham & Company designed the building, which is a listed building with a thousand seats. The first film shown was a silent movie.