THE owners of the Odeon chain are to build a 14-screen cinema complex as part of the Paradise Street redevelopment.
The multi-million pound 3,000-seater leisure palace is likely to spell the end of the last surviving traditional cinema in the city centre, the Odeon, in London Road.
The company was last night saying little about its London Road site, but cinema experts believe there will be no space for the 10-screen building once the new showpiece building opens to the public.
Former cinema manager and historian Harold Ackroyd said: "If it does close it will be the end of a cinema era in the city centre. At one time there were 11 cinemas. I have recently been to one of the new multiplex cinemas and the picture and sound quality were superb."
Grosvenor have been involved in talks for months with the Odeon chain to negotiate a contract for what will be the biggest cinema in Liverpool.
A site in South John Street, close to Chavasse Park, has already been earmarked for the complex which will be ready in 2008.
Odeon joins John Lewis and Debenhams as anchors of the 2.4 million sq ft Paradise Street project, named this week as Liverpool One.
Located between South John Street and Paradise Street in the city centre, the Odeon multiplex will occupy the upper levels of a building designed by BDP.
It will complement the adjacent restaurants, cafés and bars, becoming a new addition to Liverpool's night time economy.
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