Petition to save cinema passes 2,000 signatures

Over 2,000 people have signed a petition opposing the closure of the Odeon in Kettering

More than 2,000 people have signed a petition to halt the closure of a town's only cinema.

The campaign, started in November by local residents and film enthusiasts, protests against the potential demolition of the Odeon cinema.

The building’s owner, Augur Group, has attributed the decision to a "significant drop" in attendance over the last five years, and said the venue is "no longer viable".

The cinema is scheduled to close early next year.

David Meagher, who started the petition, said: "I am very nervous and terribly sad.

"The community feels so strongly about [the potential demolition] because it is Kettering's only cinema, and because it seems that this is just the latest potential loss in a long line of Kettering losses."

David Meagher has seen nearly 700 films at the Odeon since the Covid lockdown with his assistance dog, Sally

The cinema, located on the leisure park near the A14, first opened in the 1990s.

However, its owner, Augur Group, cited significant challenges facing the cinema industry, including the impact of the pandemic and the rise of streaming services.

The group also said competition from the Cineworld at Rushden Lakes had "compounded" difficulties in Kettering.

Mr Meagher added: "It's counter intuitive to pull down facilities required by those living in Kettering housing, to build Kettering housing.

"There are no vacancies for joining surgeries of doctors, & dentists, there's now no bingo hall, no pool hall, no M&S shop, they've just announced the closure of Kettering's Post Office.

"It's also the only cinema in Northamptonshire that caterers for the disabled properly with the wheelchair spaces at the middle or the back of the auditorium.

"This cinema also caters for pensioners, new mothers, the autistic, the deaf, girl guides and scouts."

'Extremely concerned'

In August, Labour MP for Kettering Rosie Wrighting said she was "extremely concerned" by the news.

Odeon said it would vacate the site by February 2025, with its focus now on supporting staff affected by the closure.

The demolition plans also included the nearby pub, Hobson's Choice.