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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Lydia Chantler-Hicks

Odeon Covent Garden to shut forever this weekend

Odeon has confirmed it is shutting its Covent Garden cinema this weekend and its Surrey Quays branch a week later, prompting disappointment from film fans.

The Covent Garden cinema is closing down on Sunday (August 11), while the Surrey Quays branch will follow suit the following Sunday, on August 18.

“Odeon confirms it will be closing its Covent Garden and Surrey Quays cinemas, due to redevelopment plans taking place at both sites by the respective landlords,” the firm said in a statement seen by Time Out.

The Covent Garden branch lies on Shaftesbury Avenue, on the site of the former Saville Theatre.

Developers are planning to turn the 110,000 sq ft Grade II listed premises into a live performance venue with dining and accommodation.

The Surrey Quays Odeon is closing as a result of the Canada Water regeneration project.

Fans of the cinemas have expressed their dismay on social media.

Jon Bridges described the closure of the central London branch as a “big loss to the capital’s culture”.

“Odeon Covent Garden was one of my favourites of the chain, only one in central London that served more than blockbusters at reasonable times, with a really good venue and staff,” he wrote on X. “Real indie vibe compared to the other branches.”

“Gutted by this news,” wrote. Mark Pearcey.

Others said they were considering cancelling their Odeon memberships due to the closures.

“While new homes are great, I am genuinely gutted about the loss of the Odeon Surrey Quays,” wrote Lucy Ingham on X.

“I go there all the time thanks to my Limitless card. Genuinely wondering how viable setting up a community cinema in the area would be.”

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