Historic Parkway Odeon Cinema Closes Its Doors After 89 Years
The final credits have rolled at the beloved Parkway Odeon cinema in Camden Town, marking the end of an 89-year era that left staff and filmgoers with heavy hearts and teary eyes. The cinema, which first opened its doors in 1937, held its last screening on Tuesday, concluding nearly nine decades of cinematic history in the heart of London.
Emotional Farewell from Staff and Patrons
An usher, who chose to remain anonymous, shared poignant reflections with the New Journal, stating, "It's been a great place to work – a nice crowd comes in and everyone who works here loves films, so we always have something to chat about." The staff member added, "I think everyone is feeling pretty sad, pretty nostalgic – it really hit home how this is the end of all these years of films here. It's hard not to feel a bit teary when you consider all the people who have come in and watched something they will always remember. It is really emotional."
A Rich History of Glamour and Community
Originally named the Gaumont, the cinema opened with significant fanfare in 1937, featuring appearances by comedian Will Hay and actor Lilli Palmer. Designed by architects William Trent, Sydney Trent, and Daniel McKay, the venue boasted an auditorium seating over 2,000 people and included lavish elements such as a £10,000 stage fit-out and a custom organ by John Compton of Willesden.
The opening night, officiated by the Mayor of St Pancras FW Fincham, drew crowds to see films like Showboat starring Paul Robeson, The Two Fisted Gentleman with James Dunn, and a Mickey Mouse short. Over the decades, the cinema became a community hub, hosting a children's film club for just 3p, where zookeepers from London Zoo even brought a penguin chick as a mascot.
Evolution and Final Closure
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, the venue expanded its offerings to include concerts with stars like Bob Hope and Mantovani. In the 1980s, a bingo hall was added, though alterations in the 1960s prevented the building from being listed for heritage protection. After closing briefly in the 1990s, independent operator Peter Walker revived it as The Gate before the Odeon chain took over in 1997.
Now, the cinema and adjacent bingo hall are slated for demolition to make way for a new development featuring affordable housing, student accommodations, and a multi-purpose entertainment venue with an entrance on Inverness Street. Staff have been relocated to other Odeon locations in London, spending their final days packing up memorabilia like pic'n'mix sweets and preparing the site for handover to developers Shaw.
Future Plans and Temporary Uses
While the permanent closure marks the end of regular screenings, the empty cinema will see interim activities this year, including a May Day film festival, World Cup screenings, and one-off music events. This transition period offers a bittersweet nod to the venue's legacy as it awaits transformation into a modern space for the community.
