THE former Odeon cinema in St Helier is to become an events space following a lengthy refurbishment project.
Freedom Church Jersey, which bought the 70-year-old building for £1 million in 2012, has been awarded a licence which will enable alcoholic drinks and canapés to be served to attendees at events.
A spokesperson for the owner addressed the Licensing Assembly at the Royal Court yesterday, explaining that the Freedom Church had been unable to progress plans for the building as a result of ‘fiscal constraints’, but was now able to do so, with work on a new roof having been completed.
The ground-floor auditorium would have a proposed capacity of 450, the spokesperson added, staging events around once per month on average and providing a different-sized alternative to existing venues in St Helier such as the larger Opera House and smaller Arts Centre.
The court heard that the application had been supported by 14 votes to one at a recent St Helier parish assembly, with Constable Simon Crowcroft confirming to the panel that he was supportive of the application.
The Odeon cinema opened in 1952, but closed in October 2004. It was subsequently operated as a cinema for four more years by former Deputy Kevin Lewis, who is now the Constable of St Saviour.
The cinema showed its final film in January 2009.
