Save The Old Llanelli Odeon

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Our Story

Llanelli's iconic 1938 Odeon is the finest example of streamline moderne architecture in Wales. After many years of underinvestment, the building closed in 2012 with a very uncertain future. It was broken into in 2013 and copper piping, tanks and roof lead was stolen, causing a very damaging flood.

By the time Calon Llanelli Ltd purchased the cinema in November 2014, roof leaks were widespread and the building faced a £2 - £3 million conservation deficit. Like many other redundant cinemas and theatres, its very existence was at risk. Calon Llanelli took immediate action to stop the leaks and strip out wall and floor coverings so the building could dry out. With the rot stopped, some long forgotten art deco features were restored to show the public how special it could be again. During this phase, original artworks were discovered, thought to be by Edward Bainbridge Copnall MBE, that are the only remaining 1930’s Odeon artworks anywhere.

A detailed plan was created for three cinema screens on the ground floor and a café and cocktail bar on the first floor leading to a grand multi purpose auditorium. The cinema offer would be along the luxurious lines of boutique cinemas, with tables, food and drink. The grand auditorium will host spectacular cinema as well as live music shows and events like dinner dances and balls, along with many community activities.

Detailed Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent was achieved in September 2018. The investment in repair and project development by Calon Llanelli, and the fantastic support of volunteers, has reduced the conservation deficit to around £1.4 million. To help mitigate this challenging situation, the pursuit of grants has been of the highest priority over the last year. It has been calculated that around 98 jobs will be created with £26.6 million uplift in GVA to Llanelli over the first ten years of operation.

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