Former Odeon open day (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Open day at the former Odeon in St Albans, now known as The Odyssey

8:56am Thursday 2nd June 2011 in News By Manisha Mistry

THE former St Albans Odeon cinema which is set to rise from the ashes will open to the public next weekend.

The Odyssey, in London Road, saved by entrepreneuer James Hannaway, who launched a fundraising campaign to bring the art deco building back to its former glory, will open on Sunday, June 12.

Members of the public are invited between 12.30pm and 2.30pm to hear an update on the continuing fundraising and progress on the building works.

The previously unseen ‘Screen 2’, the second biggest screen in the building, will also be unveiled to the public for the first time.

Mr Hannaway, owner of The Odyssey and CEO of The Rex cinema in Berkhamsted, will be on hand to talk to the public and answer questions.

He and his team raised £1 million in eight weeks to buy the 1930s art deco building, saving it from dereliction and demolition.

The building was purchased on April 1, 2010, and a further £1.5 million must still be raised to restore the cinema to its former glory, allowing it to be re-opened to the public – hopefully by the end of 2012.

For more information visit www.odysseypictures.co.uk