THERE are few buildings more iconic in Colchester than the town’s old Odeon.

Aside from Colchester Castle and Jumbo water tower, Cecil Massey’s art deco building is probably amongst the most famous in the town.

Empty for almost two decades, the Crouch Street premises are now in a sorry state, a shadow of their former glory.

But in the decades before the venue closed in 2002, the premises brought unrivalled joy to the town’s residents as both a concert hall and a cinema.

Built in 1931, the building’s first use was for music. Seating more than 1,400 people, the main attraction was its Wurlitzer organ and it regularly held concerts. Some big names performed there, including The Rolling Stones and Sir Cliff Richard.

It had been a cinema for some time when it became the Odeon in the early 1960s.

Sadly, since the cinema chain relocated to its purpose-built premises in Head Street, the building has laid dormant.

It has been blighted by problems with anti-social behaviour including numerous fires inside the premises.

Traders have become increasingly concerned about its effects on the area.

Hope came when in 2016 developer Blumarble first came forward with ambition proposals to turn the building into luxury apartments and retail space.

A final iteration £10 million scheme was approved in 2018 but it proved to be a false dawn when the plans stalled due to financial woes.

Since there have been talks of turning the premises back into a music venue, from the owners of Coda bar, and Colchester Council has even considered compulsory purchasing it.

But sadly it still sits empty in an increasingly poor condition.

It is crying out to be saved and the people of Colchester would surely welcome it back to life with open arms.