New look for former cinema

WORK to transform Ipswich's former Odeon Cinema into a huge £5million nightspot is set to get under way soon after the building was bought by the development company planning the project.

Premier Leisure has purchased the site from Colwyn Developments after gaining the necessary planning permission and consent to get started on a multi-use leisure facility.

Work to re-vamp the former cinema is likely to begin as early as next month for a possible November opening.

On the ground floor they want to build a family restaurant and a bowling rink.

On the first floor there will be a sports bar with pool tables and large screen televisions while on the top floor there will be a bar and two nightclub rooms.

The total capacity of the building is potentially as high as 1,750.

The venue will be open to families during the day before turning into a nightspot of an evening with separate entrances for over 18s and over 25s nightclubs.

Vanessa Penn, of Ipswich-based chartered surveyors Douglas Duff who were involved in brokering the sale, said: “It is very satisfying to see the iconic Odeon building being put to good use once more.

“It stands in the town centre on the edge of Ipswich's 'golden mile', and local businesses have been looking for a scheme to regenerate the area.

“This is a boost to the town's economy.”

A spokesman for sellers of the building Colwyn Developments, who bought the Odeon when it closed in August 2005, said: “Its opening should have a positive impact on many local businesses so it is good news for local traders.

“The former Odeon benefits from a prime location and is conveniently positioned for the town centre, waterfront and the new university complex.”

However the development is not being universally welcomed and an attempt to block the project was attempted by Suffolk police in January.

The force took the issue to court but a judge resisted their bid to prevent a licence being granted on public safety grounds.