Death knell sounded for Doncaster cinema

Dearne Valley film lovers have been dealt a blow after a group which campaigned for a cinema to be classified as a listed building has lost its battle with the bulldozers.

The Friends of Doncaster ODEON (FODO) group had hoped that the building on Hallgate might be given Grade II or Grade II* Listed Building status—so preserving the cinema, which closed after 74 years in April last year.

Ray Nortrop, of FODO, said that people had been saddened by seeing the building knocked down, adding: "To some, the scenes were so dramatic that many many mature and older folk were overcome by emotion.

"As I talked to numerous fans of Engelbert Humperdinck (swooners), The Beatles and The Rolling Stones who had attended concerts at the Odeon (when formerly known as the Gaumont), they had tears in their eyes."

Among the famous names added to the petition to save the building were those of Odeon bill-toppers Cannon and Ball and Billy Connolly.

Mr Nortrop said that FODO was extremely grateful for the support that it had received.

The ODEON is likely to be replaced by a casino, shops and offices, for which planning permission has been granted.