Council buys abandoned cinema in regeneration plan

An abandoned cinema has been purchased by Harlow Council as part of a wider regeneration of the Essex town's centre.

Odeon opened the three-screen cinema in 1960, but it closed in August 2005 and has remained empty since.

The local authority said it had not yet decided how the site would be used, but vowed to breathe new life into the area.

Conservative leader Dan Swords said: "For years, the old Odeon has stood derelict - empty, decaying, and a symbol of the town centre's decline. That ends now."

A deal was struck by the council in March and it was completed in May. The council said it was purchased at the "market rate" but did not disclose the price.

Detailed plans for the redevelopment would be released "in the coming weeks", the authority said.

Swords added: "With the site now under council control, we can move forward at pace with its redevelopment."

The cinema is the latest acquisition by the council, which has already taken over Terminus House, the Harvey Centre, Market House and Adams House.

Work to regenerate Market Square is ongoing, as is a £34m project at Playhouse Square and a £15m bus station rebuild.

"We are rebuilding our town centre from the ground up - with construction already under way and more to come," Swords continued.

"Residents can see the change happening and we are determined to keep up momentum."

Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.