One of north London's most cherished picture houses, the Odeon in Camden, is set to close its doors for the final time next month, marking the end of an era for the capital's cinema scene.
The End of a 90-Year Legacy
The iconic cinema on Parkway will shut permanently on 24 February 2026, concluding a history of screenings that stretches back to 1937. Originally opening as a Gaumont cinema on 25 January that year, the venue has been a fixture of the local community for nearly nine decades. It briefly operated as a bingo hall in the early 1960s before being reborn as an Odeon in 1964, and has since operated as a five-screen multiplex.
An Odeon spokesperson confirmed the closure, stating: 'Following talks with our landlord, we have come to a mutual agreement to close our Camden cinema. Supporting our local cinema team is our number one priority and we will be looking to secure jobs for as many of them as possible at our other cinema locations.'
From Silver Screen to Student Housing
The cinema's closure paves the way for a major new property development. The site, which includes the adjacent Mecca Bingo hall, is earmarked for demolition. It will be transformed into a scheme named Camden Town Xchange, which will provide:
- 244 student bedrooms.
- 49 affordable homes.
- A planned cultural venue, though it is not yet confirmed if this will include a cinema or music space.
Plans by the Secret Cinema Group to use the bingo hall for interactive events were reportedly explored but ultimately abandoned.
A Favourite Haunt for Film Legends
The Camden Odeon held a special place in the hearts of many film industry figures. It was notably beloved by director Edgar Wright and actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Wright famously recalled watching the UK premiere of their film 'Shaun of the Dead' there on 9 April 2004, sitting nervously at the back with the cast and crew.
The closure represents another significant loss for London's historic cinema landscape, as a venue steeped in nearly a century of film history makes way for modern housing needs.
