I saw soon goon blasting this all over Facebook/Insta, including access, wide open. So as with anything like this these days you need to get on em quick. So we did. Visited with @Ferret @scrappy and 2 non members, also bumped into a few well known faces off here too. Good to see you all.
History
The cinema was opened by Mayor Frank Watkinson on 27th June 1938. It cost £59,727 to build with a seating capacity of 2058
A most unusual façade remains intact with three concave bays covered with buff faience tiles, above the entrance each containing a convex window. A tall Art Deco style tower formerly had the Odeon lettering illuminated by neon. It was however not originally intended for the Odeon circuit, but was a take over during construction which was intended for the Nat Cohen & J. Rafer chain, which explains its differences from the typical ‘Odeon’ style.
The cinema had a wide proscenium and a stylish interior with decoration dominated by two large bas-relief female figures on the splay walls either side of the screen (now removed).
The first film to be shown here was The Perfect Specimen starring Errol Flynn and Joan Blondell.
Here is a poster for the opening
The Odeon closed as a cinema on 18th October 1975.and the building was damaged by fire on 16th February 1976.
In 1977, it became a Top Rank Bingo Club,and more recently a Mecca bingo, Halifax’s only bingo hall.
As with many bingo halls, Mecca Halifax struggled due to the Covid pandemic and never fully recovered. Closing it’s doors permanently in August 2022.
As a Top Rank Bingo
And today
Screen
Today in lovely bingo colours
Entrance foyer
Lovely Art Deco paneled corridor with some art deco mirrors and original doors.
Projector room sadly stripped
Same with the Rectifier room, originally had 2 Mercury arc rectifiers, but they are long gone, only their cabinets remain
History
The cinema was opened by Mayor Frank Watkinson on 27th June 1938. It cost £59,727 to build with a seating capacity of 2058
A most unusual façade remains intact with three concave bays covered with buff faience tiles, above the entrance each containing a convex window. A tall Art Deco style tower formerly had the Odeon lettering illuminated by neon. It was however not originally intended for the Odeon circuit, but was a take over during construction which was intended for the Nat Cohen & J. Rafer chain, which explains its differences from the typical ‘Odeon’ style.
The cinema had a wide proscenium and a stylish interior with decoration dominated by two large bas-relief female figures on the splay walls either side of the screen (now removed).
The first film to be shown here was The Perfect Specimen starring Errol Flynn and Joan Blondell.
Here is a poster for the opening
The Odeon closed as a cinema on 18th October 1975.and the building was damaged by fire on 16th February 1976.
In 1977, it became a Top Rank Bingo Club,and more recently a Mecca bingo, Halifax’s only bingo hall.
As with many bingo halls, Mecca Halifax struggled due to the Covid pandemic and never fully recovered. Closing it’s doors permanently in August 2022.
As a Top Rank Bingo
And today
Screen
Today in lovely bingo colours
Entrance foyer
Lovely Art Deco paneled corridor with some art deco mirrors and original doors.
Projector room sadly stripped
Same with the Rectifier room, originally had 2 Mercury arc rectifiers, but they are long gone, only their cabinets remain
