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Bromley Place, NOTTINGHAM, NG1 6JG

Guests occupying rooms at the rear of The Park Plaza Hotel on Maid Marian Way (the A6008), and perhaps some guests staying in the second tower block hotel on the other side of the road too, are currently finding themselves overlooking the demolition of the former Odeon cinema. This is the view along the road section of Bromley Place, whereas behind the photographer's right shoulder, the road turns into a footpath (only) that connects the road with Angel Row.

Opened as the Ritz in 1933, it originally had 2426 seats. By the time it closed in 2001 it had 6 screens and a total of 1855 seats. It is ripe for demolition and redevelopment, when times improve.

A rarely seen view across the demolition site of the former Odeon cinema premises, plus part of the rear garden of the Bromley House subscription library (behind the brick wall) and looking towards the Council House in Old Market Square. Until 6-8 weeks ago the disused cinema obstructed this view and once the new privately owned student apartment block is completed the view from this particular angle will disappear. Although the tall metallic tower of a fairground ride in Market Square, part of the Christmas activities, appears to be standing at the side The Council House, it is in fact it is standing in front of it.

A glance along Bromley Place towards Long Row West, with the Maid Marian Way dual carriageway (the A6008) behind the photographer, highlights aspects of the Central Library on the left and the demolition of the former Odeon cinema on the right where the auditoria and cellars have been already been enucleated in preparation for a new building project. When it first opened as "The Ritz" in 1933 its auditorium accommodated up to 2,500 people. It was taken over by the Odeon group two years later and eventaully renamed "The Odeon" in 1944. It was converted into a twin-screen establishment in 1964, the first in Britain, although by the end of its life in 2001 it housed six screens. It has remained unused since then but its forthcoming replacement is apparently destined to provide shop premises and a block of privately operated student apartments.

This glorious mess is what remains of the basement of the former Odeon cinema. When it first opened as The Ritz in 1933 the basement was home to a cafe/restaurant called The Carolia that had a separate entrance. Later on its life however this refreshment facility, and The Trent Bar, gave way to at least one 'small screen' auditorium. Behind the white topped mobile generator is the boundary wall of garden of the Bromley House subscription library, a plot that has probably not benefited from so much daylight in years. During 2012 the library management committee mounted some resistance to some planning proposals to allow a block of privately operated student apartments to be built on this site, in view of the fact that their peaceful garden was likely to be overlooked by such residential accommodation. It seems however, that their protests against this project have not succeeded.

After standing empty for many years - asbestos removal was a major problem - the former Odeon cinema has finally been demolished and the site is being redeveloped.

New residential block overlooks the square.

A view of the main room, with circular stair, on which only one person at a time may tread. A beautiful fireplace and the card catalogue opposite.

Maid Marion Way (the A6008) lies behind the photographer. Taken from the public viewing area, this photo highlights some of the demolition work on the former Odeon cinema site that has occurred during the previous 6-8 weeks. Beyond the security fencing is a path leading away from the rear of some of the shops on Angel Row that is being maintained for emergency evacuation purposes, but is otherwise closed to the public. Beyond the ivy-clad boundary brick wall is the garden of the Bromley House subscription library. Bromley House was built in 1752 for Sir George Smith and was his family residence until 1804 when it was purchased for the creation of a subscription library, a facility which still exists to this day. In 2012 the library management committee mounted some resistance to planning proposals that would allow a block of privately operated student apartments to be built on this demolition site, in view of the fact that their peaceful garden was likely to be overlooked by such accommodation. Their protests were unsuccessful and a student accommodation block now occupies this demolition site.