ODEON Cinema is back in Llanelli after 45-years

74 years to the day that Odeon first showed a film in Llanelli, the world renowned company has started its fit-out of a state-of-the-art venue in Llanelli town centre.  And wow is it back in style as with a 610-seat digital five-screen 3D experience that will be open in October 2012

Construction projects director for Odeon-UCI Cinemas, Steve Lavelle, said at the handover from builder’s Britannia Construction on Monday: “I am delighted we are anchoring the prestigious East Gate Development in the centre of Llanelli and bringing its state-of-the-art digital 3D cinema experience to the town. “Today marks an important stage in our plan as we accept the cinema shell structure to start our cinema fit-out programme. We will be announcing further important milestones as we progress over the next four months."

Carmarthenshire executive board member for regeneration and leisure services Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “Odeon is a world renowned brand that will bring more attention to the town and help to increase footfall in the town centre.”

The first film shown at the old Llanelli Odeon which opened on June 18^th, 1938, was Paradise for Two. The building on the corner of Station Road and Queen Victoria Road was taken over in 1967 by Classic Cinemas and renamed. A decline in business led to it being sold to Llanelli Borough Council in 1976 when it was developed as Theatr Elli.