Odeon to retain listed status
Thursday 20th January 2011, 3:00PM GMT.
A decision will be made on the former Odeon cinema building later this week
THE former Odeon Cinema is to retain its listed status because of its historical benefits – but the owners say that it will now remain an ‘empty, functionless building’ and that they are scrapping their £40 million plans to regenerate the area.
Environment Minister Freddie Cohen announced today that he had decided to keep the 1951 building as a Site of Special Interest because it ‘deserved a chance to survive’.
C Le Masurier had asked for the Odeon to be removed from the listed register so that they could develop it into flats and offices.
But following Senator Cohen’s decision, which upheld the building’s initial listing in 2003, managing director of C Le Masurier Brian McCarthy said that they would be cancelling their project.
Read the full story in the Jersey Evening Post. Click here for subscription details. Individual editions are also available online.
Travel
To, from and around the Island
Airport Arrivals/Departures
Harbours Arrivals/Departures
Bus Information/Timetables
JOIN US ON...
Facebook and Twitter
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Got a story? Get in touch
KIT 4 CLUBS
Win a share of £10,000
2012 is the year of the London Olympics and to celebrate this great event the Jersey Evening Post, in association with sponsors Ogier is giving all sporting clubs a chance to win a share of £10,000.
This is Jersey
Jersey Evening Post
Useful links
Who cares – the Island looks like s**t anyway, another eyesore won’t make any difference !!!
Report abuse
That will be the Odeon safe until after the election then. Come December a stunning new architectural development plan will appear.
Report abuse
They should have applied under Dandara banner for flats!
Report abuse
How can Freddie justify losing £40 million of regeneration for a part of St Helier that needs it?
To add to that, the building will now sit empty, how will that add any value?
A complete joke, the building is an eyesore !
Report abuse
Another cracking decision by those elected to represent our best interests. Why should the owner of a building be able to demolish it and turn the site into something useful, carrying out £40 million of restoration to the area in the process.
I for one would prefer to keep a rat infested sh**hole that is of historical interest to 3 people and sod the area and the electorate.
Are there a group of more incompetant people sitting in elected government anywhere in the world?
Keep fiddling while Rome burns boys.
Report abuse
Childish
Report abuse
In all my years, I have never seen such a ludicrous decision to keep a building that resembles a post war factory. Of what use is retaining such an ugly concrete monstrosity as this. What will be housed in such? Obviously not a cinema, as if it was profitable it would still be one! Also this eyesore will cast a foreboding shadow over the soon to be developed town park.
The planning committee and indeed Senator Cohen should stand a vote of no confidence for ever letting such a carbuncle ever be listed
Thank goodness it is senatorial election year when we can rid ourselves of those that do not listen!
Report abuse
I wonder if Truthseeker who only ever whinges and complains, and criticises Freddie will now congratulate him. I doutb it – Truthseeker will ignore this.
But then again, Turthseeker is king in the land of the blind.
Thankfully the blind are the vocal minority who are nto intelligent enough to vote.
Report abuse
Oh I am so pleased. Its such a lovely building with a history so sensibility has won the day!
Lets hope they at least give it a clean now.
Report abuse
It deserves a chance to survive as what? Will those who support the preservation of this featureless monstrosity please tell me what they have in mind for it. How will it serve our failing economy or flagging tourist industry. Does it really possess more historical interest than the many beautiful Victorian houses that have been bulldozed in the interest of our towns ‘development’?
Report abuse
Um, what benefits would that be?
Report abuse
Not sure what purpose this decision serves. Opportunity missed I think as pretty sure a fair few jobs would have been created with the much regeneration. Perhaps C Le M shouldn’t have been so vocal before the decision.
Report abuse
C Le Masurier should get the next boat, as this blackmailing is well out of order. No doubt this kind of pressure on planning always goes on, just rare to see it out in the open.
Report abuse
Ha Ha so clever JEP an extra early April Fools!!
Seriously do we wait for it to crumble & fall around our feet. I loved it as a child many happy memories Saturday Matinees Old Mother Riley ect but what an eyesore it will turn into & standing out like a sore thumb with our Green Park…..
It is deprssing now to look at a truly unbelievable decision.
Somebody wanting to invest £ 40 Million turned away now I know I am living in La La Land………
Report abuse
Should make a pretty backdrop for when the Queen opens the Millennium Park.
Report abuse
Yet another priceless decision from Senator Cohen.
Why not just drop SSIs on everything as the default position and the let all planning decisions be based on Sen. Cohens best quality guess.(not forgetting the token UK expert advice).
Actually that might speed up the process, thinking about it , as at present the Department fulfil the planning, Island Plan criteria and then Freddie pours treacle on them all.
Report abuse
Have you lot not heard of shot blasting! It’s only dirty.
Report abuse
To: LM=blackmailers
Why should they “get a boat in the morning”?? They have been in Jersey since 1835 and have Jersey resident owners – where do you suggest they go to?
****
As for the “delightful apartments” in Clapham,
http://www.lumiere-apartments.com just how does Freddie think this idea could apply to the Odeon and keep its SSI status? I cannot see how this concept can apply to the Odeon as the Clapham cinema is a completely different shape to the box which is the Odeon.
A missed opportunity of a £40 MILLION investment by a LOCAL company – maybe they should just sell off to Dandara, they would surely get Freddie’s support.
Report abuse
Mary: “Somebody wanting to invest £ 40 Million turned away now I know I am living in La La Land………”
Only to their own gain. Not necessarily that of the Jersey people.
Report abuse
I would like to congratulate C Le Masurier & Brian McCarthy for their decision to cancel their project when a few self important people list an old useless building they deserve to watch it fall into ruin. I am sorry for those living nearby as they will no longer see their area improved but this building should be knocked down so if f Cohen can’t see this then it should be left to fall down.
Report abuse
So The Odeon building “deserved a chance to survive” did it?
If Le Masurier’s has any sense now they will leave the building stand unattended to rot into a total embarrassment to Jersey.
It will be no more than the States (Cohen!) deserves – they have just blown the chance of a lifetime to get the north of town regenerated for free!! Le Masurier’s plan may not have been perfect, but then what development plan is – The Waterfront perhap?!?!?!?
Report abuse
Actually now I considered it, we shouldn’t give into blackmail. I say keep the odeon for the people who consider its design wonderfully unique!
Report abuse
Typical Jersey mentality! A park that costs millions and at the end of it , a building that looks like it’s been beamed in from North Korea !!!
Report abuse
As I had mentioned before I have a longstanding hate of this building and an envy of people who lived nearby.
In the old days on Saturday morning they had a childrens matinee that was always full.
I had to walk from St.Clements and always got there too late to stand under the awning and inevitably got wet.The people who lived nearby got to the shelter first.!!!
So let them suffer this godforsaken monstrosity even longer!
Report abuse
So in a few years time will the Waterfront Cinema building be listed as “historical importance” to remind us of how cr8p the states government are! It’s an ugly eye sore which is too expensive to anything with now, except bulldoese it!
Report abuse
Looks like it is here to stay so may as well try and make some use of it – turn it into a permanent ice rink maybe (not just a tiny one few weeks a year)? We had a couple in the surrounding areas when growing up and they were always busy – great activity for the kids and keeps them off them the streets (and great exercise)
Report abuse
Maddness ! – it has to be one of the ugliest buildings on the Island – tear it down – anything would be an improvement
Report abuse
Well,
When Captain Crowcroft gets his way and we all have to do 20mph in town we can admire it as we crawlllll past. Look carefully guys, its really a German bunker in disguise!
Didn’t you lot know that when the revolution finally comes our esteemed leaders will shelter in this formidable redoubt and leave us mere mortals outside to rot!
Report abuse
As arguments to save or not save are now redundant, surely the point is what can it be used as? What about the long proposed Jersey casino ? It could prove its worth to all involved.
Report abuse
It is a fine example of how concrete is out of fashion by about 40 years, it is the architectural version of a shell suit.
Hotel La Tour built in the 18th century is apparently of less importance than a grey, ugly mongoose of a building.
Report abuse
It’s important to put the issue of protected buildings into perspective. It appears that some rail against the protection of buildings of merit,where developers promise all to an unsuspecting public, for the sake of potentially huge profits.The Odean is listed and was before C Le Masurier bought it for a pittance.They can hardly claim that they were unaware of this.It’s time that rules were upheld and if this is unpopular, just think of how many other buildings on the protected register could be on that road,where developers openly attempt to bend the rules and like C Le Masurier, use threats for their own ends.
Report abuse
It is quite crazy that this ugly and featureless building is listed and unable to be demolished. Listed buildings are ones of architectural significance and aesthetically pleasing, this is not an example of such a building. Those who want to keep this building should imagine this is an empty plot in the centre of town. Now imagine that a developer now wants to build the exact same featureless, concrete walled building and submits a planning application…question… would you be happy and support it? I would guess the answer would be no and definately not. Have a little perspective. Just because a building has been around for a while doesn’t make a good enough argument by itself to list it, sentimentality os just one of many of the criteria. The problem here was the developer not being politically savvy in this instance. Had they said nothing about cancelling then it is likely that they would now be planning to demolish the building. Reading back over the discussions regarding this building over the past few months, there has been overwhelming support to demolish the building, not to save it.
In this instance it is the developer at fault on this one and not the planning department. Planning cannot set poicy or make decisions based on blackmail. Had the listing status simply been removed the message to all developers would be loud and clear. This time the planners stood up to the developers and unfortunately the majority has lost, but has also hopefuly won longterm.
Report abuse
What ever happened to the bigger picture? Ie – £40m of private investment in an area that desperately needs it.
Report abuse
17 Flat Out – Have you lot not heard of shot blasting! It’s only dirty.
Well considered post, but won’t it still be a dog ugly, rat infested, filthy cockroach ridden building inside. And won’t we still lose £40,000,000 if free improvement to the area.
Yup, thought before posting there didn’t we.
Report abuse
It was not blackmail – it was a statement of fact – if they can’t knock down the Odeon then Le Masuriers can’t go ahead with their plans. End of.
Good to see that Freddie has hedged his bets as usual – he has on one hand kept the Odeon an SSI, but on the other says that if the right plan comes alone he still would consider letting it be demolished……
So the Bath Street area will just stay as it is for another generation. (The car park has been there since the 70s when Le Masurier’s offices burnt down.) Le Masurier’s can afford to wait, they aren’t in it to just make a quick buck. This is just one planning application of many over the last 40 years which has been refused.
Report abuse
Bad decision Freddie
I’m all for protecting history but no one has come up with a plan as to what to use it for now so what is the point of keeping it.
If there had been a concrete plan for its future use as it stands now, then fair enough but seeing as that has not been the case, we are now left with a useless building which will now be left to fall into ruin.
Report abuse
With GST going up to 5% the states don’t need the benefit of a £40 million regeneration of a huge area of town or the millions in future revenue and jobs this will generate. Well done senator Cohen, your comment that “this was a no brainer” certainly sums up this decision.
Report abuse
Liz 34.
“17 Flat Out – Have you lot not heard of shot blasting! It’s only dirty.
Well considered post, but won’t it still be a dog ugly, rat infested, filthy cockroach ridden building inside. And won’t we still lose £40,000,000 if free improvement to the area.
Yup, thought before posting there didn’t we”
Like it, but you have to understand, some people posting on this site are complete idiots – others aren’t quite that bright.
Report abuse
C Le M are dropping the £40m investment because they can’t get their own way to build as quoted in the JEP flats and offices – well good.
Do we need anymore of these when there are so many vacant at the moment?
And what price would they rent / sell these at with the back drop of the park, out of most peoples budget!
And the comments of just let it fall down – well I hope the listing will make C Le M keep the property safe from falling debris etc and in good structural order, failing that, may be the States could make a compulsory purchase and return it to a Cinema and rent it back to an independent operator
Report abuse
Consider yourselves lucky that La Hougue Bie and many of the dolmens survived the urges of previous developers.
In centuries to come the Odeon should remain standing as a monument to the once popular worship of film stars.
It would be a shame if a future Lieutenant Governor were to dismantle the Odeon and set it up again in his garden in England as an act of vanity.
Report abuse
I think 95% of people agree that this decision is mad.
But if Freddie is saying the building must be kept, then it must be used. It cannot be left to fester while other commercial buildings are constructed and rental rates for such properties rise. I think we urgently need to increase rates for unoccupied buildings. This has been empty or years, the offices at the end ofthe tunnel for over a decade. Holding onto empty property at minimal cost should not be an option. Either use it for something or pay increased rates.
The Isand has a limited land bank and needs to make the best use of land that is already developed. Triple rates on empty buildings would be my proposal.
Report abuse
I wonder if it was owned by a property investment fund that some States Ministers invest in, whether it would have been developed, or left to rot and of course still cost the owners in rates and insurance.
Another sad and bad decision by those not living in the real world.
Report abuse
Another example of the bigots in our Island who have no professional knowledge or experience of development and design and who churn out a lot of nonsense about future development of the Island. A local company employing a considerable number of local people who have offered a wonderful opportunity by investing in the improvement and development of a run down area of the town which includes the development of a building which is certainly not a space of special interest in the view of those with common sense. We have too many examples of buildings that have been ‘preserved’ and which the States can no longer afford to maintain or open no wonder the number of people visitng Jersey has dropped dramatically. Anywhere in the UK would be jubilant if a long stnding local business offered an injection of millions to improve a run down area. Would our so called ‘conservation experts’ prefer the Odeon to become a Bingo Hall in line with many similar properties in parts of the UK. It is time for the States Members, Planning and the would be Conservation Experts none of whom have any relevant professional qualifications to wake up to the realities of life in the 21st Century and start to look at things realistically. Having already made a complete mess of the Waterfront development it is time to call a halt to the power these people have in planning the future of Jersey. The old Abbatior development will become yet another White Elephant just like the Steam Clock which has not been working for several weeks and which I recall we were told would attract visitors to Jersey! Time to take off the Rose Tinted spectacles and view the Odeon as the eyesore it really is not try and persuade us all that it is of historical value and worthy of preservation. We should be grateful to a local firm, i.e. C Le Masurier for being prepared to invest in Jersey whereas at present it seems that the Powers That Be prefer to be bedfellows with Non Local Companies who are only interested in what they can get out of the island economy not making any valuable contribution to it. Did we not agree to lease the Waterfront area for a non commercial rental to the developers – to the best of my knowledge that is my understanding. Wake up Jersey before it is too late.
Report abuse
Re: 39 Bo
You have obviously forgotten that an independent Operator did try to run the Odeon a few years ago (I think he is now one of States Members) and failed to make a go of it notwithstanding that he was charged a very reduced rental by C Le Masurier. Suddenly however, after previously agreeing that the Odeon should be demolished he is one of those waxing lyrical about its historical value! Off with the blinkers and the Rose tinted spectacles and acknowledge that the Odeon is far from being a building of Special Interest and needs to be demolished and, if the Le Masurier’s offer of massive financial contribution to redeveloping the area is still available Freddie Cohen and the States of Jersey Planning Department should swallow their words and gratefully accept that a long standing local company is ready and willing to invest in the future of the island for the benefit of all Jersey’s residents. Good luck to Le Masurier’s a local independent firm, one of the few remaining after numerous takeover bids for other local businesses who are now only ‘names’ in our island’s history! Remember, Le Riches, Le Bruns, Ann Street Brewery, to name but a few. Why is it when locally owned firms want to invest in the future development of Jersey the barricades come down and their proposals are always rejected whereas it seems that non local developers have carte blanche to develop wherever they wish with very little control being exerted of whatever they plan. Time to think again Freddie Cohen you have made a wrong decision – your decision was the No Brainer not Le Masurier’s proposal.
Report abuse
It’s only 60 years old – I’ve got relatives older than that!
Report abuse
why doesnt the constable of st helier buy it on behalf of the parish and use it to park bicycles could also have public toilets there to replace the ones that are cafes now!
Report abuse
Any chance we can get Sand street carpack listed too. thats about the same quality of sh*t that we are listing these days.
Freddy, you need to leave!
Report abuse
Real Truthseeker (8) Turthseeker is king in the land of the blind.
The bleat of an ineffectual sheep, prone to self garnishment, who incapable to addresses reasoned argument. Go home to New Zealand, if they will have you back, and stay there!
Better still, take the Odean with you, you may need it.
Report abuse
Did it win the prize for architectural building of the year in 1951? I think even the great Frank Lloyd Wright would of been proud of that one.
Report abuse
“Did it win the prize for architectural building of the year in 1951? I think even the great Frank Lloyd Wright would of been proud of that one.”
I would think the not-so great Frank Carson would be proud of that as well.
Report abuse
The reason why the Odeon is empty is because the States “invited” and funded the construction of a modern multi screen cinema on the Waterfront knowing that this would immediate put all existing operators out of business. Yet now the States expect a private Company to maintain an obsolete structure with no commercial purpose. It can’t be used for any other purpose as both the inside as well as the drab, windowless precast concrete exterior is protected and full of dangerous asbestos. If the States want to preserve this building than put up GST again and buy it. There are too many people unemployed or struggling in substandard accommodation for such an investment opportunity to be turned down. I admit that I have knocked many critics of the SoJ in the past but in this instance is really is the States kowtowing to the rich “heritage” lobby.
Report abuse
It will decay sadly. Hopefully not burn down like the Chapel in Wesley street (I think) Same with Sion Methodist Chapel that is now closed, protected and leaking. Even the Methodist Circuit have asked for its destruction. Ah well. Somewhere for us to sleep when we are all homeless I suppose.
Report abuse
Dangerous asbestos is in a lot of old and not so old buildings. Very often, it is better left where it is and sealed in place.
Asbestos becomes more dangerous when a building is demolished, even where protocol is followed.
So, if you are worried about asbestos, the building is better off not being demolished.
In any event, the point is a red herring because, if you don’t want asbestos in a building, it can be removed. You don’t need to knock a building down to do so and, for the above reasons, it is often far more dangerous to proceed in that way, particularly in a well populated vicinity like Bath Street and Cattle Street and further afield, dependent upon wind direction.
Report abuse
When Planning gave consent for the big multiplex on the Waterfront, they immediately destroyed the viability of the other cinemas. So they owe it to the owners to let them do something else with the site. Destroying their business and then blocking an alternative is grossly immoral. Shame on Freddie Cohen.
Still, looking at other stuff he has and hasn’t allowed, I suppose he sees the ex-Odeon as “iconic” like the Radisson, the Incinerator, etc.
Report abuse
I don’t think that the Radisson or the incinerator are iconic, although it is subjective, I guess
Report abuse
Bing back “Kevin lewis” what better use,
A CINEMA with soul.
Report abuse
I won’t go to the Waterfront cinema on principle. In fact, I don’t go to the Waterfront at all and I don’t expect to ever do so
Report abuse
Since when did “iconic” acquire the maning “dull, unimaginative and widely hated”? Can we have a rule that “iconic” can only be uesd ironically in future (as David R did above). Then we can even define “establishment” as meaning “someone who believes iconic is a good thing”.
Report abuse
How old are you, Daz?
If you are as old as I am you might never need to go there in your autumnal years!
Report abuse
I’m 44 and I have always avoided the waterfront because it’s a dump. I have had to make about three fleeting visits in the last few years. I don’t know about my autumnal years but I think that I have a pretty good boycott record so far! Perhaps others might like to join and then it might sink or be detached from Jersey and allowed to float out to see, never to be seen again!
Report abuse
Maybe we should paint it green
Report abuse
Freddie the destructor is at it again. He has about as much idea about architecture as the man in the moon. (No disrespect to the man in the moon!) The incinerator says it all!!
The idea that the Odeon is a piece of important architecture only recognised by “world renowned architects” is insulting to the local business men who were about to invest £40 million into our failing economy and normal sane people who can recognise the political motives behind this scandalous decision to keep it an SSI building.
For those of you that just lost your jobs or who are about too, you can thank the likes of Ozouf and Cohen for that. They are solely responsible for the mess of our island architecturally and financially.
The Odeon is just another example of the catastrophe that is the States of Jersey.
Report abuse
Daz – In reality the new cinema at the Waterfront is a purpose built multi –screen cinema with comfortable seats and loads of leg room and most importantly a massive car park within a few minutes’ walk. In contrast the Odeon was a botch with uncomfortable seating and very little room.
Sorry but the old Odeon has clearly had its day and is now a drab windowless expanse of cracking concrete preventing the regeneration of a huge area of our town. If you read the current headlines of old people can’t afford heating whilst our ministers waste both money and opportunity on preserving this ironic building for the sake a few very rich “heritage” campaigners writing form their luxury out of town homes.
Report abuse
And I hope no-one thinks it will improve when the boy from St Peter becomes a Deputy Planning Minister!!
Report abuse
Battersea power station was listed years ago in an absent-minded moment by the UK government, and ever since it has sat on a fine site by the Thames gradually falling apart, whilst various schemes to do something with it have come and gone. Finding a new use for such a huge specialised building has proved pretty well impossible. And although it’s on a much smaller scale, it seems Jersey has created a similar problem for itself by listing the Odeon.
Report abuse
Cohen must have had is first kiss in that Cinema. How can you turn down $40million when lots of people are out of jobs.
Do we have to make a petition for all the obviously wrong decision made by the states?
May be an new attraction like a HAUNTED HOUSE will make up for the £40 millions
Report abuse
LM acquired the Odeon when it was already a listed building, and also when the new cinema at the Waterfront was already a reality. And they paid pittance for it. Why was the cinema at the Waterfront built when we already had a cinema in Jersey, thereby putting the Odeon out of business? And is it not the responsibility of the owner of a listed building to look after it and not to leave it fall into disrepair? Also do we really need more flats and offices? There are plenty of empty office buildings as it is. Do we want more buildings a la Gloucester Street with empty shops? These flats that would be overlooking the new park – would they be spacious enough (not the size of a rabbit hutch), have decent sound insulation, be affordable to first time buyers, or would they be suitable for families to live in? This lovely word ‘regeneration’ has been mentioned a few times. To me it seems more synonymus with greed than anything else!
Report abuse
Alice TW – Battersea Power station actually has architectural features of interest and a lot of History behind it. Before I even knew its history it always caught my eye as I passed it on the train and I was keen to find out about it.
It’s of historical interest too, having been featured in various films and even a Pink Floyd album cover…
However, I will agree that it probably doesn’t make the government much money or create employment. Should it be knocked down? Debatable.
The Odeon on the other hand, is a bland, ugly, cube which is in no way striking or pleasing to the eye. There is absolutely zero ‘wow’ factor to it and just lowers the appeal of that area of town.
I’d suggest a petition, but apparently they’re worthless over here, even if done properly!
Report abuse
Art deco German bunker…
It s too big anyway, all you see when you walk past is a big flat wall with 3 posters .
Report abuse
Does anyone remember the FORUM? Now that was a building that should have been preserved – it was was both authentic, genuine and very well constructed. Destroying it was crime. But when money talk on this Island; integrity no only walks – it runs!
The Odeon on the other hand, was and is no more than an ugly post war, poorly constructed imitation of someone’s per-war memories. Nevertheless, it did serve a useful post war purpose, which at best, probably ended somewhere in the early seventies.
Now it is clearly time to move on – unless someone can explain why it is so important for the welfare of our Island to maintain what it has clearly become – the most ugly, run-down and dirtiest building in St. Helier.
Report abuse
Loco: I agree Battersea power station is of considerable architectural and historic value, but it is not suited to other uses. So you have to ask whether it is right that such a large site is left undeveloped (so far for 27 years) when London is desperately short of housing. Similarly, the Odeon may be of architectural and historic interest (although I agree it’s pretty ugly) but it is taking up a lot of space that could be used for housing, or something that will generate jobs. Interesting, historic and beautiful buildings should be preserved whenever possible, but I think the people who decide on listing buildings have also to take practical considerations into account, one of which is whether a building has, or can have, a realistic future. If it hasn’t then record it, photograph it and demolish it.
Report abuse
This could be the site for the casino.
Give these developers a licence for a casino and there you go job done.
Report abuse
Another crazy decision. Still, why have a 40m stimulus to the construction sector when the taxpayer can pay income support instead?
The owners of the cinema will probably now just let it fall into disrepair until it becomes a dangerous eyesore, then the States will allow demolition.
Report abuse