Scotland's last surviving Art Deco Odeon cinema to close as firm deems Ayr building 'no longer viable'

Scotland’s first purpose-built Odeon cinema is to close after almost 90 years, its operators have announced.

The Art Deco building, which opened in 1938, was deemed “no longer viable” by the cinema chain and will screen its last ever films on June 5.

The building, complete with its vertical entrance tower and whitewashed frontage, was the first of seven planned by the renowned cinema chain across the West coast, however only three were ever constructed.

In a letter to customers, Odeon said it had taken a “difficult decision” but added it was looking to secure the jobs of staff in other locations nearby.

The cinema, designed by Thomas Braddock, was the last of its kind in Scotland after similar facilities in Hamilton and Motherwell were demolished in the 1990s.

It opened its doors to the public for the first time in July of 1938 with Ronald Colman in “The Prisoner of Zenda” and added a fourth screen in 1992.

An email to film-goers read: “We are sorry to announce that, following a thorough assessment of all available options, we have made the very difficult decision to close Odeon Ayr on June 5, as it is no longer viable to operate the cinema.

“Looking after our people is our number one priority and we are looking to secure jobs for as many team members as possible in one of our other local cinemas.

“We would like to thank you for choosing Odeon Ayr to enjoy the magic of cinema and we hope that you’ll continue to be our guest at Odeon Kilmarnock, or any other of our cinemas across the UK and Ireland.”