It was end of an era when Odeon closed
In early August 1999 it was reported that cinema-goers would have to travel further to see their favourite movies when Hamilton’s Odeon closed later that month.
Movie buffs would have no cinema in the town to enjoy for as long as a year or 18 months, as of Saturday, August 26.
A new multiplex was due to open at the Palace Grounds, and the original plan was for the Odeon to stay open until the day before the new complex got up and running.
But manager George Seaton said that road redevelopment at Townhead Street meant the building was to be demolished to make way for a dual carriageway.
South Lanarkshire Council strenuously denied that their road works would have an effect on the Odeon, and a spokesperson said the dual carriageway went past the old building, not through it.
They added: “The building is not being pulled down because of a road, all road works are skirting round it.
“The area is part of the Regent Way extension, but the whole scheme comes round Duke Street and does not impact on the Odeon.”
Rank, owners of Odeon, were in discussion with the council, with a view to becoming operators of the new nine-screen multiplex planned for the town, but they pulled out of talks, and the council were keen to find another top quality company to take over.
The spokesman said: “We are hoping the new cinema will be open as soon as possible, but there is no time scale for it opening yet.”
A Rank spokesperson told the Advertiser the movie house was closing problems.
The Odeon was due to close on August 26, and they were trying to offer staff relocation.
The Odeon opened in Hamilton on November 14, 1938, showing ‘Spawn of the North’. because of financial