Harlow Council Buys Former Odeon Cinema for Redevelopment

Harlow Council completed the purchase of the former Odeon cinema in Harlow town centre in May, bringing the long-empty site under council control. The building had stood empty since Odeon closed it in August 2005, and detailed redevelopment plans are due in the coming weeks.

Dan Swords, the Conservative leader, said: "For years, the old Odeon has stood derelict - empty, decaying, and a symbol of the town centre's decline. That ends now." He added: "With the site now under council control, we can move forward at pace with its redevelopment."

Harlow Odeon deal in May

The council struck a deal for the site in March before completing the purchase in May. Harlow Council said the site was bought at the market rate, but it has not yet decided how the building will be used.

The cinema itself opened in 1960 as a three-screen venue and was one of the first attractions in Harlow. Its closure in August 2005 left the site empty for years, making the purchase a step toward changing one of the town centre's most visible vacant buildings.

Terminus House and Market Square

The former Odeon is part of a wider regeneration programme in Harlow town centre. The council has already taken over Terminus House, the Harvey Centre, Market House and Adams House, while work to regenerate Market Square is ongoing.

Two other projects are already under way: a £34m scheme at Playhouse Square and a £15m rebuild of the bus station. Swords said: "We are rebuilding our town centre from the ground up - with construction already under way and more to come" and "Residents can see the change happening and we are determined to keep up momentum."

For residents and businesses watching the town centre, the immediate change is ownership. The council now controls the site and can move ahead with redevelopment plans once they are released.