Guildford Council buys Odeon cinema

Guildford Borough Council has announced it has bought the town’s Odeon cinema and former Old Orleans restaurant to help advance its regeneration plans.

According to the council, the Odeon cinema will continue to operate in the same building and more details on its plans for the Bedford Wharf area will follow.

‘I am very pleased to announce that the council has just secured the Odeon and former Old Orleans restaurant buildings as part of our plans to open up the riverside and the Bedford Wharf area,’ said council leader, Cllr Paul Spooner.

‘High-quality placemaking is one of our stated key aims and this supports our integrated and holistic approach to transforming Guildford town centre.

‘Making sure that Guildford is a great place for residents, workers and visitors is critical for our borough’s success. Our town is a popular and high-performing regional centre and acquiring properties like these give more opportunities to enable our ambitious vision for the future.’

Guildford’s deputy leader and lead councillor for infrastructure and governance, Cllr Matt Furniss added: ‘This is fantastic news, which will help us improve and invest in the public space that provides an important approach from the station and river to the rest of the town. It is also forms another key section of the sustainable transport link for pedestrians and cyclists.’