An iconic Glasgow building is finally set for a lease of new life after lying empty for almost 20 years.

As reported by Glasgow Live, the old Odeon cinema in Renfield street is now home to brand new restaurant, German Doner Kebab.


The fast food eatery - which creates healthy alternatives to traditional kebabs - is opening on Monday and you can check out a sneek peak inside here.

It's great news for the old movie theatre - which first opened in 1934 and was a bustling hub in its glory days - as many Glaswegians have been saddened to watch the fabulous Art Deco building lie empty and run into disrepair in recent years.

But why did the popular cinema which famously presented the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to audiences in the 1960s close its doors in the first place? 

Built in 1934, the Odeon movie theatre was one of a new breed of 'super cinemas' which were created in Britain in the 30s.

Odeon Cinema, Glasgow, Scotland, 30th December 1955.

It opened on Hogmanay as The Paramount Theatre - as it was originally wholly owned by Paramount Pictures - and was a popular movie spot for 71 years until the curtain fell for the last time in 2006.

The Glasgow premises wraps around the corner at Renfield Street and West Regent Street in the heart of the city centre and is known for its magnificent corner facade.

Back in the day, an American style external paybox led to a large double-height foyer. Upon entering, a sweeping staircase led visitors up to the balcony foyer and from there to the tea-room and restaurant, which also had its own direct access from the street.


The auditorium seated 2,800 in an Italian renaissance-style, with stalls and a balcony, decorated in green and silver.

A large stage took pride of place and many dressing rooms and some offices were located back stage, as it was common at the time for many films to be accompanied by stage presentations.

The Beatles pop group music John Lennon and Paul McCartney run to car from stage door after show at the Odeon Theatre in Glasgow, Scotland. 21st October 1964.

After WWII, Oscar Deutsch, the creator of the Odeon empire, acquired the Glasgow Paramount.

In the 1960s the auditorium famously presented the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to Glasgow audiences. The 1963 Beatles show was a complete sell-out and brought folks from far and wide to the city.

In 1969 the auditorium was subdivided into three smaller cinemas and this conversion unfortunately obliterated the original Art Deco interior that included the tea-room above the entrance, the lavish foyers, lounges and the auditorium.

Odeon Cinema, Glasgow, Scotland, Circa 1985.

In the decades that followed came a number of refurbishments. In 1999, with the threat of the new Virgin/UGC (now Cineworld) eighteen screen megaplex opening up the road, Odeon embarked on what was to prove a final refurbishment.

Cineworld city centre

Three more screens were inserted bringing the total number of screens to nine.

Despite strong competition, the Odeon Renfield Street stayed profitable until the end. Odeon bosses eventually sold the building to a development company in 2003. It is now a B-listed building under Historic Scotland.

There have been several plans for the building recent years - including one which involved redeveloping the site into a massive office tower - all of which have fallen through for various reasons.

Meanwhile, the building which was once a bright, busy hub for Glasgow audiences has sat empty and forlorn.

The final message on the front of the building read: "Thank You and Goodnight.

"31 Dec 34 - 7 Jan 06."