Key Points
- Odeon Camden cinema will close permanently on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
- The cinema informed filmgoers via email, expressing gratitude and directing them to nearby sites like ODEON Tottenham Court Road and ODEON Luxe Holloway.
- Members of the myLIMITLESS scheme can contact Guest Services to cancel or discuss memberships.
- Closure follows Camden Council’s unanimous approval of plans by Camden Vision to redevelop the site and neighbouring Mecca Bingo into a mixed-use development.
- The scheme, designed by architects AHMM, includes 244 student studios, 49 affordable homes, new shops, restaurants, a café, and a 1,000 sq m cultural and leisure space in the former bingo hall for performances or immersive galleries.
- Most of the cinema building will be demolished, but its Art Deco frontage on Parkway will be restored and retained.
- Plans aim to replace blank street fronts with vibrant, greenery-planted facades, revitalising Inverness Street Market and addressing anti-social behaviour in vacant buildings.
- Summer consultations with residents and businesses received broad support.
- Chris Shaw of Camden Vision hailed the approval as an “exciting moment” reflecting local priorities.
- Philip Turner of AHMM described the site as a “rare opportunity” for contemporary buildings to enhance Camden Town’s character.
Camden’s Iconic Odeon Cinema to Close on 24 February 2026 Amid Redevelopment Approval
Odeon Camden, a beloved Art Deco landmark in the heart of Camden Town, London, will shutter its doors for the final time on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. This announcement marks the end of an era for film enthusiasts who have flocked to the Parkway venue for decades.
In an official email to its filmgoers, Odeon confirmed the closure. The message stated:
“We’re writing to let you know that ODEON Camden will be closing on February 24, 2026. We would like to sincerely thank you for choosing ODEON Camden and for enjoying the magic of the cinema with us. We hope you’ll continue to be our guest at one of our nearby cinemas, including ODEON Tottenham Court Road and ODEON Luxe Holloway.”
Odeon has also extended an invitation to members of its myLIMITLESS subscription scheme to reach out to the Guest Services team should they wish to cancel their membership or discuss options. This move underscores the chain’s efforts to soften the blow for loyal patrons as the venue prepares to bow out.
The closure paves the way for ambitious redevelopment plans approved unanimously by Camden Council. These plans, spearheaded by development group Camden Vision, target both the Odeon site and the adjacent Mecca Bingo hall, transforming them into a vibrant mixed-use hub.
Why Is Odeon Camden Closing?
The decision to close Odeon Camden stems directly from Camden Council’s green light for the Camden Town Xchange project. As reported across multiple outlets, the approval came after extensive consultations that garnered strong local backing.
Chris Shaw, a key figure at Camden Vision, celebrated the council’s decision. Speaking about the plans, Chris Shaw of development group Camden Vision said:
“The unanimous approval from Camden Council based off high levels of local support marks an exciting moment for Camden Town Xchange and the future of this iconic site. We’re grateful to everyone who shared their views through the consultation, which has helped shape a fantastic proposal that reflects Camden’s unique character and priorities. We’re eager to continue this collaboration as we deliver this missing part of the Camden Town jigsaw and will keep the community updated throughout the journey.”
This sentiment echoes coverage in local and entertainment-focused media, where the project is framed as a timely intervention for underutilised spaces plagued by vacancy and anti-social behaviour.
Back in the summer, developers consulted with local residents and businesses, who broadly welcomed the initiative. The feedback highlighted opportunities to inject new life into Inverness Street Market and replace dated or empty structures that had become hotspots for undesirable activities.
What Does the Redevelopment Plan Include?
The proposed Camden Town Xchange scheme, meticulously drawn up by acclaimed architects AHMM, promises a multifaceted upgrade to the site. It features 244 student studios to cater to London’s booming higher education sector, alongside 49 affordable homes to address housing pressures in the area.
Commercial elements will bring new vitality, including shops, restaurants, and a café, fostering a lively street-level presence. A standout component is the 1,000 sq m cultural and leisure space planned for the former Mecca Bingo hall, earmarked for flexible uses such as a performance venue or immersive gallery.
While the bulk of the existing cinema building faces demolition to make way for these modern additions, heritage elements will be preserved. The cinema’s distinctive Art Deco frontage on Parkway will undergo restoration and integration into the new development, ensuring a nod to its cinematic legacy.
Plans drawn up by architects AHMM will replace largely blank street fronts with something more vibrant and appealing, including planting greenery. This greening initiative aims to enhance the aesthetic and environmental quality of the precinct.
Philip Turner, executive director at AHMM, emphasised the project’s architectural merits. Philip Turner, executive director at AHMM, said the site was a rare opportunity for a pair of contemporary buildings to add to the existing distinctive character of Camden Town centre.
These details have been consistently reported in planning and property sections of various publications, attributing the vision to AHMM’s expertise in blending modernity with context.
When Was the Closure Date Announced and What Are the Alternatives?
The closure date of February 24, 2026, was formally announced via the aforementioned email to Odeon’s customer base. This gives filmgoers over a year to bid farewell, with screenings expected to continue until the final day.
Odeon has proactively suggested alternatives to keep patrons in the fold. The email explicitly recommends ODEON Tottenham Court Road and ODEON Luxe Holloway as nearby venues, both offering premium cinematic experiences within easy reach of Camden.
For myLIMITLESS members, the chain provides a direct line to Guest Services for membership adjustments, reflecting a customer-centric approach amid the transition.
How Did Local Consultations Shape the Project?
Community input played a pivotal role in refining the Camden Town Xchange proposal. Summer consultations engaged residents and businesses, yielding broad support for revitalising the area.
Participants praised the potential to breathe new life into Inverness Street Market, a Camden staple, while tackling issues like anti-social behaviour linked to vacant buildings. This grassroots endorsement was instrumental in securing Camden Council’s unanimous approval.
Chris Shaw of Camden Vision acknowledged this collaboration, noting how resident views shaped a proposal attuned to Camden’s “unique character and priorities.” Ongoing updates promise sustained community involvement as the project advances.
What Happens to the Cinema’s Heritage Features?
Preservation efforts centre on the Odeon’s iconic Art Deco frontage, a Parkway landmark since the cinema’s heyday. Restoration will ensure it endures as the entrance to the redeveloped site, marrying history with innovation.
The rest of the structure, however, will be demolished to accommodate the new builds. AHMM’s designs cleverly incorporate this facade into contemporary lines, as highlighted by Philip Turner’s comments on enhancing Camden’s distinctive town centre character.
Greenery and vibrant facades will further soften the transition, replacing the site’s previously blank street fronts.
Who Are the Key Players Behind the Redevelopment?
Camden Vision leads the charge, with Chris Shaw as a vocal proponent. Their vision for Camden Town Xchange has won over council and community alike.
AHMM architects, under executive director Philip Turner, provide the blueprint, leveraging their portfolio of context-sensitive designs.
Camden Council delivered the unanimous approval, validating the scheme’s alignment with local needs.
Odeon manages the wind-down, prioritising patron continuity.
What Is the Impact on Local Businesses and Residents?
The project targets blight in Inverness Street Market environs, promising economic boosts via new shops, eateries, and a café. Affordable housing and student accommodation address pressing demands, while the cultural space could draw visitors, bolstering tourism.
Residents stand to gain from reduced anti-social behaviour and improved aesthetics. Businesses, having voiced support in consultations, anticipate synergies with the refreshed market area.
Why Is This Significant for Camden Town?
Camden Town, famed for its punk heritage and markets, gains a “missing piece of the jigsaw,” per Chris Shaw. The development injects purpose-built housing, leisure, and commerce into a prime yet underperforming site.
By retaining Art Deco charm while embracing modernity, it exemplifies balanced urban renewal. Unanimous council backing and local enthusiasm signal broad consensus on steering Camden’s evolution.
