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Video: Inside the derelict Bradford Odeon - cinema that divides a city
ITS future has split Bradford, but today a campaigner trying to save the city's derelict Odeon cinema building claims its interior is "just as people will remember it". Watch what he filmed.
Click to watch the campaign's video
Langtree Artisan and regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, which owns the city centre building, want to tear it down to create a 55m scheme including a hotel, offices, flats, and bars but Bradford Odeon Rescue Group (BORG) has campaigned since 2004 to save the landmark.
John Tempest, of Bradford, claims he walked inside the building and shot footage, which is now on YouTube, and that much of the interior remains in tact. Watch
And he has called on Bradford Centre Regeneration (BCR) chief executive Maud Marshall to retract a statement made several years ago in which she reportedly described the building as "decrepit and a decaying shell."
Mr Tempest, who made the film, called A Question For Maud Marshall, claims the footage is the first time the building's interior has been captured on moving film.
He said: "We walked through an open door at the side of the building. Inside it is just as Bradford people will have remembered it.The crescent lounge ceiling still survives. The ballroom is still all there."
A planning application for the proposed development has been submitted to Bradford Council but a date has yet to be set for when a decision will be made.
Maud Marshall, chief executive of BCR, said: "I stand by my statement of 2004. It is well documented that the fabric of the original building has been significantly altered and that there is significant damage to both the interior and exterior.
"However, this is secondary to the fact that the building remains economically unviable in its current form. The provision for cinemas and theatre space in Bradford is well serviced within the immediate vicinity."
Dave Custance, Yorkshire Forward assistant director of environment, said that accessing the building without the proper permission, training and safety equipment was both "irresponsible and illegal."
He said: "The health and safety risks posed by entering the former Odeon building are well documented.
"The condition of the building is clearly going to vary depending on its exposure to the elements and previous treatment, and both interior and exterior areas of extensive damage and partial preservation have been documented.
"However, the fact remains that the alterations and damage incurred to the building and its original features by previous owners means it is financially unviable to renovate and has been deemed not warranting of listed status."
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
