USER: Write a forum conversation about a long since abandoned Odeon Cinema that closed in mid 2005, the readograph still has the final "GOODBYE FOREVER" message, and the signs directing people to Odeon London are still there
CHATBOT: Title: The Abandoned Odeon Cinema - Its Last Message Frozen in Time Forum: Forgotten Spaces and Places Thread Creator: MovieBuff2000 Date: March 12, 2023 MovieBuff2000: Since we all love sharing tales of abandoned places here, I thought I'd kick off a discussion about the old Odeon Cinema that closed its doors in mid-2005. Have any of you visited it recently? The place is a time capsule! The readograph outside still reads "GOODBYE FOREVER" - gave me the chills when I saw it. It's like they knew it wouldn't just be "goodbye for now". Even the signs pointing folks to Odeon London are still hanging around, tattered but clear. It's eerie and fascinating all at once. CinephileSteve: Oh, I remember going there as a kid. That huge screen, the smell of popcorn... it was magical. Seeing it fall into decay is heartbreaking. Is the building structurally sound? Could be an awesome spot for an indie film or a photoshoot now that I think about it. UrbanExplorer: I've walked past it a few times. The "GOODBYE FOREVER" message is indeed poignant. It's like the last words of a once-loved haven for film enthusiasts. Always hoped they'd turn it into a museum or something. Still, trespassing is not advisable, especially with these old structures. Anyone know why it closed down all of a sudden? RetroQueen: @UrbanExplorer - If I recall correctly, the rising popularity of multiplexes and streaming services really hit the traditional cinemas hard. That Odeon just couldn't compete. Not to mention the cost of maintenance for such a big old building must have been a bottomless pit. OldTimer: I used to work at the concessions stand there! The place closed down because of low attendance and a failed attempt at renovation. After they realized they couldn't afford the refurbishment, they just shut it down, intending to sell it off. But with no buyers interested in an old cinema, there it sat... and sits. Filmmaker_josh: That's such a cool piece of history waiting to be repurposed. Has the interior been scrapped or is it still intact? Any vintage seats, projectors, or cinema memorabilia left behind? MovieBuff2000: @Filmmaker_josh, I think most of the interior was cleared out. There might be some old fixtures or pieces left, but I didn't venture inside. It's all boarded up, and there's rumor that it might be dangerous due to asbestos. Last thing we want is to disturb that! Graffiti_Guru: Passed by it once during my urban explorations for graffiti inspirations. The building is picturesque, ...
USER: Write a forum convo where they look at the signs, which say "This cinema has now closed, Your nearest Odeon is in London, Thank you for your loyal patronage, Book tickets there by phone, by Sky Active or online at Odeon.co.uk" Sky Active no longer exists
CHATBOT: Title: Signs of Times Past: The Directional Signs at the Closed Odeon Cinema Forum: Urban Exploration UK Thread Creator: ShadowedCorners Date: April 5, 2023 ShadowedCorners: Greetings, urbex enthusiasts! I took a trip down to the abandoned Odeon Cinema that's been gathering dust since '05. Something that caught my eye was the signs directing to the nearest Odeon in London. They mention booking tickets by Sky Active, which is a blast from the past since that service doesn't exist anymore. It's like standing at the intersection of now and yesteryear. Anyone else notice these relics? TimeCapsuler: Yes! I saw those signs last time I was there. It's a real throwback and sort of reinforces the fact that the cinema is trapped in the time it was closed. I wonder if others who might come across it not knowing wonder what Sky Active even was. TechHistoryBuff: Mentioning Sky Active certainly dates it, doesn't it? For those who don't know, Sky Active was an interactive service by Sky TV where you could do things like shopping, gaming, and indeed, booking cinema tickets. It was pretty innovative at the time but eventually got overtaken by internet services. Jen_on_the_move: I can't say I've seen them, but I love how signs like these are a miniature history lesson. It's interesting the lengths they went to, to retain their customers even as that particular branch was closing. Gives you a bit of insight into the efforts they had to make pre-the ubiquity of smartphones. SignSpotter: Snapped a picture of those signs. It felt weird seeing the outdated ways to book tickets. Makes you appreciate the tech we have today. It's cool, though, that they thanked their loyal patrons. Wished more businesses had that kind of touch when closing. ChronicNostalgia: The signs are quite bittersweet, really. They're trying to guide you to continue your cinema-going experience elsewhere, but the "Thank you for your loyal patronage" hits differently when you know there's no coming back. Especially standing in front of an abandoned relic where I have so many memories. AbandonedArtifacts: It's a symptom of a world that's constantly evolving. One could almost see those signs as a symbol of the cinema itself trying to hold on to relevance in an age it was not built for. If anyone's going in for a closer look, please be careful! While it's good to preserve history with photos and discussions, it's crucial to respect the property and prioritize safety. ScreenSaver: Those signs would actually make a ...