Kettering Loses Odeon Cinema: Popular Venue to Close in January

The Odeon cinema in Kettering, a popular entertainment spot for residents of both Kettering and the nearby Market Harborough area, will close its doors in January 2025. The eight-screen cinema, located outside the town centre, will cease operations, leaving Kettering without a dedicated cinema venue.

While the exact reason for the closure remains unconfirmed by Odeon, it is believed to be linked to a proposed redevelopment project situated near junction 9 of the A14.

In a statement, an Odeon spokesperson said: “We can confirm that our Kettering cinema will close in January 2025. The team at Kettering are our number one priority and we will support them in the coming months.”

The closure of the Odeon follows the recent announcement by Greene King that the nearby Hobson’s Choice pub will also shut its doors next month.

This double blow to the local leisure scene is likely to spark concern among residents, as the loss of both the cinema and the pub will leave a void in the area's entertainment options.

The closure of the Odeon cinema is the latest in a series of closures for the cinema chain in recent years, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by the cinema industry in the face of changing consumer habits and competition from streaming services.

It remains to be seen what impact the closure will have on the Kettering community and whether alternative plans for the site will emerge in the future.