The Odeon

[jerseydaz]

Was anyone aware that the Odeon is about ( possibly subject to the usual run around from Planning) to be turned into a church/community centre? The offer on the table is £1,000,000 from Freedom Church and I was told by a senior member of staff  that the deal is about to go through next month. It will be interesting to see how a church that claims to have 500+ members are going to be able to find parking in that area every Sunday morning now we have a £10,000,000 flower bed instead of a car park next door.

[danrok]

No spaces at Minden Place car park?

[Mark Forskitt]

I'm sure on a Sunday parking is not expected to be a huge problem. I am intrigued how an organisation of 500 people raise £1,000,000. I am acquainted with a few of their leading people I may ask next time  I see one.

[Calimachon]

Could it be possible that the Church Community that has decided to  purchase The Odeon sold a property to fund the new purchase?

Cali

[man in the street]

 the freedom church unless i am wrong , were last at the wolfs caves, before the place was bulldozed.
 what they are about i dont know.

[Mark Forskitt]

the freedom church unless i am wrong , were last at the wolfs caves, before the place was bulldozed.
 what they are about i dont know.

That's right. Now using Hautlieu School for Sunday meetings.

[wakey]

As our new Dear Leader Mr. Gorst is a leading member of the Freedom Church, why the surprise?

[man in the street]

 well theres is 500 votes for  a start, ,  if i had a big enough  house  i am sure  i could find 500 debourched , people  to meet on a regular basis .
 i  am not knocking  any one's religion.( you can pray anywhere , the whole world is your temple)
 in our  rich history , the  faithfull left church to remove  the goverment of the day, who escaped to elizabeth castle .
 i may attend to listen to the sermon , and  more to  the  see who's in the flock.
  i have no need to attend church , ( if you turn  a stone  i am there ).
  ive watched the   faithfull arrive at church to repent their  exploitation, cleanse there sins , and carry on as normal on monday.

[danrok]

Of course, a church is just another man-made organisation, mostly used to gain power, and control over the population, and governments.

[Jerry Gosselin]

The Odeon building represents a valid part of our post-war heritage and should not be under threat of demolition. If it had been used for middle-class entertainment in the same way that the Opera House has, we would most likely have a large-scale refurbishment under way by now, partly-funded by the States and partly by donations. Unfortunately, watching moving pictures has always been regarded as a culturally inferior form of entertainment by Jersey's highbrow decision makers, hence they have been quite happy to remain silent while Le Masuriers lets the building slowly rot to the ground.

Therefore, if this news turns out to be correct, it can surely only be greeted with a sigh of relief, as there can be little doubt that demolition will be the end result if it remains in the hands of Le Masuriers. My concern is exactly what this religious group might be planning in the way of structural changes. There is little value in just preserving the exterior for the sake of it whilst completely obliterating every interior feature that reminded one of its original use. In my opinion, barring the economics of it and any structural decay that might have accrued from the Le Masuriers years, this building is still capable of operating as a cinema again, as well as a possible venue for live entertainment or even community meetings (significant artists such as Julie Andrews and the future Dr Who Jon Pertwee are just two names whom I believe have performed live at the Odeon during  the 1950's).

If the new owners were in agreement, it could be used as a community cinema (i.e. not for profit) on certain agreed nights of the week for a peppercorn rent. Attendance revenues could be ploughed back into helping to maintain and preserve the building rather than is the case with the existing commercial cinema on the waterfront, where popcorn is being sold at a mark up of about 1,200% (source = BBC Watchdog, 8th Sep 2011) and the substantial profits leave the island for the benefit of the Plc.

All Jersey's other main cinemas of the 20th Century have been demolished with the exception of the New Era- and I am sure that even the latter would not survive if its present or future owners ever decided to seek permission to demolish it. Of course the Opera House also functioned as a cinema for a period after the war, but I'm sure the social elites who now spend most of their evenings there would rather I didn't remind you of that now. 

[Calimachon]

I am fortunate to have travelled to Salt Lake City and visited the Mormon Tabernacle.  I also attended a concert to listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir which was being televised - the singing was awesome.  I also visited the Salt Lake Assembly Hall - this building was huge - I have never seen a building that could hold seminars for so many attendees.

If the membership of this fairly new church has already reached 500 and growing I can very well see why they would want to own building with a stage and vast seating arrangements.

We are certainly living in interesting times in Jersey!

Cali   No I am not a Mormon although I do know Morman families, practising and non-practising, and Utah is viewed as a home-maker State in the USA.  Set aside any views relayed in the media sometimes which appear to slate their religion.  Secrecy spawns intrique sadly.

[Fritz]

The Odeon is an eyesore. Nothing more, nothing less.
It was constructed as a ,"Shed", to show films in to make money.

"Simples".

Can any, "Save The Odeon", (Bleeding hearts), point out any significant craftsmanship on this concrete block that needs saving?

[Bachus]

Would someone please be so kind as to inadvertently back several drotts and JCB s into this bloody eyesore
Where is Dave Cummins when you need him?

[Chevalier Blanc]

Re open it and get rid of the ones on the Waterfront. The Odeon is a very good cinema which is going to ruin.

[Bachus]

I think you will find that such an idea is not on the agenda because, as video tape came in followed close by dvd , there was no requirement for a cinema seating 600 people , even the Odeon at the time , changed from a single theatre to a 2/3 option theatre.As the cost of DVDs came down it was not economic to send a family of four to the pictures at £4/6 a time with the attendant cokes, drinks, sweets and popcorn , parking, fuel, babysitting cost etc etc etc  when the same film would be released on DVD to view at £4 for the whole family.
Cinemas are dead, end of story.
Multiscreen options , such as the waterfront Bunker building , were an option ,but very shortlived , given my comments before .
No,Iwent to the Odeon as a kid, Mr Moneypenny was a leg end , but to continue looking backwards in the face of obvious technological breakthroughs , is as about relevant as trying to show what Jersey farming was like 300 years ago (Heritage) but without actually making it cost effective, ie selling Jersey produce on site , and i do not mean freakin toffee!
Tear the useless site down and let us , sorry ,let us allow LeMausuriers ,to do what they like with their own property. Now we have a lovely park, let us upgrade the entire area. The waterfront is a failed endeavour , lets look at that again in 20 years , before we totally marginalise , 90% of the population to satisfy the dreams of one geriatric ex chief minister.