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Winner vows to save Kensington cinema
By Alexa Baracaia & Rashid Razaq, Evening Standard 18.09.06
Michael Winner has vowed to fight to save the Odeon in Kensington High Street
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Michael Winner has called the decision to demolish one of London's last surviving Art Deco cinemas "an act of vandalism".
The film director has vowed to fight to save the Odeon in Kensington High Street after Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell signed the death warrant for the 1926 building by refusing to give it listed status.
It will now be bulldozed and replaced with a block of 80 upmarket flats and a basement multi-screen complex. Winner said he was outraged at the decision.
He said: "I will support and sign any petition and I'll even walk up and down with placards if asked. It's just another act of vandalism, and it's totally unnecessary.
"I've lived here in this area since 1946 and seen lovely building after lovely building torn down to be replaced. When will they learn? We don't need any more hideous flats in Kensington."
The news was greeted with horror by cinema buffs, who said the building's character made it a unique landmark. Tara Kela, 67, from West Kensington, said: "I'd much prefer the older building to be preserved.
"A modern structure wouldn't be in keeping with the character of the area." The Odeon was bought for £24 million a year ago by property firms Minerva and Northacre.
Northacre chief executive John Hunter said two planning applications for the site would be made within two months, one involving a whole new building and the other seeing the Art Deco facade retained.
He said he would be happy if the council chose the latter option, adding: "Michael Winner should stick to critiquing food."
Reader views (3)
We wholeheartedly support your campaign to save the Odeon Kensington as it is now, in what's left of its Art Deco glory. How do we get to sign the petition? We already have too many unaffordable luxury flats in Kensington and the loss of this building would be a great loss to the community.
- Garrick And Rita Coleman, Kensington, London
We are extremely disappointed that English Heritage do not recognise the importance and quality of the Odeon. We have been battling to have this building protected for a long time and it is quite scandalous that English Heritage still continue to reject it for listing. Not only is the magnificent frontage a landmark in Kensington, but is also a significant cinema nationally. We will do everything we can to try and save this building.
- Adam Unger (Cinema Theatre Association), Teddington, Middlesex. UK
The loss of the Kensington Odeon will be a sad blow to the local community & another example of the destruction of community infrastucture, by faceless developers & oily add men. The tearing down of this well loved local landmark is another win for the any town any high street, greed brigade, that futher shifts the character of our great capital towards bland & dull.
- Mo Mckinven, London
