Proposal submitted for ‘open storage’ at former Kettering cinema site

A proposal has been lodged with North Northamptonshire Council to transform the premises of a cinema slated for closure into a space designated for “open storage.” Augur Group, the proprietor of the Odeon cinema in Kettering, Northamptonshire, intends to redevelop the location and has forwarded its plans to the council. Odeon confirmed that its Kettering branch, situated on Pegasus Court, would cease operations on 28 January and subsequently undergo demolition. Concurrently, the company announced the inauguration of a new Odeon Luxe in Northampton next year, taking over the former Cineworld premises. An Augur spokesperson stated, “This will immediately bring the [Kettering] land back into productive use, provide new jobs and keep the site secure so that it does not become a magnet for crime and anti-social behaviour.” The spokesperson added, “We have submitted a planning application to repurpose the site for open storage.” A petition garnered over 2,000 signatures from individuals expressing their support for the venue and advocating against its closure. Nevertheless, the council granted approval for the cinema’s demolition during a meeting held in December. Augur Group, the owner of the building, attributed the decision to close the cinema to a “significant drop” in attendance over the past five years, asserting that the venue was “no longer viable.” The planning application is currently under consideration by North Northamptonshire Council and will proceed through the council’s standard review process for such proposals.