The closing date of the historic Odeon Luxe cinema in Darlington has been revealed.

Yesterday (June 16) The Northern Echo revealed the popular Northgate cinema had been earmarked for closure after 84 years.

The Echo can now reveal that the cinema will screen its final film on June 30, less than two weeks away.

Yesterday an Odeon spokesperson told The Northern Echo: “We are disappointed to announce the closure of our Darlington cinema.

“This decision was not taken lightly and followed a thorough review of all possible options.

 “We are hugely proud and appreciative of the hard work from the ODEON Darlington team over the years and we will be consulting with each colleague to support them.”

Darlington and Stockton Times: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPicture: SARAH CALDECOTT

The closure puts the future of the historic building in doubt and is set to affect fourteen staff.

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One staff member told The Northern Echo they were ‘gutted’ by the closure.

They said: “We are all gutted. They told us we would be closing and we would all be losing our jobs.

“It’s sad for the cinema too because it’s been there for years”

The cinema was opened in December 1938 as The Regal cinema at a cost of £50,000 and ran as the ABC, the Canon and MGM before being taken over by ODEON.

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It replaced the Theatre Royal, which had been first built in 1868 only to be demolished in 1873, rebuilt in 1881 only to burn down in 1883, to be restored once more and last until October 10, 1936.

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