Glory days to return at Odeon site

A GROUP hoping to turn the former Odeon cinema on Clerk Street into a multi-purpose arts venue has revealed detailed plans for the site.

The New Victoria Project hopes to purchase the building and restore it to its original art deco glory.

The Edinburgh University graduates, many of whom currently work in bar and venue management in the Capital, are seeking investors to enable them to buy it from current owner, Duddingston House Properties.

Their scheme would see the main auditorium restored, three smaller venues opened downstairs, a first-floor bar opening on to a restored balcony and a huge open area in the roof space for large events.

Operations director Sarah Colquhoun said the main auditorium would be returned to its original 1930s decor.

She said: "The current proscenium arch is a false one that was put in in 1989 to hide the other screens behind, so we're looking at taking that out and pushing right back to the original proscenium. The space would be bigger to give us a stage for theatre and also to get more seats in.

"It would be used for film screenings, but it would have the option of using it as theatre space as well."

Below the first-floor auditorium would be three smaller venues housing around 180-190 people each. A bar area on the first floor would also have period features restored.

Ms Colquhoun said: "A lot of them have been very heavily painted over so they need a lot of TLC. The French windows on the balcony are original so we're looking at getting them restored and the skylight, which is an original feature, has been covered over as well."

There are also hopes to return the foyer to its art deco heyday, although it is not clear how many of the original features remain beneath more recent redecoration efforts.

Lead designer Vicki Simpson said: "The highlight for us is restoring the main auditorium back to the original proscenium arch and exposing the statue recesses that are still there, and enhancing that with some new features."

Duddingston House Properties bought the building seven years ago to turn it into a boutique hotel, but its plans were blocked by the Scottish Government. It put the property back on the market in October.

Ms Colquhoun said: "We've been advised that January 5 will be the closing date. We're still very much looking for investment. We've still got a long way to go, but we do feel confident that we're a genuine contender."