VIDEO: Inside the Imax - the Daily Echo takes a last look (From Thisisdorset)
When news happens send us your pictures, video and views. Text BE to 80360 or contact us by email
VIDEO: Inside the Imax - the Daily Echo takes a last look
1:44pm Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in Latest
The now defunct Imax
IT was little over a decade ago that the Imax cinema finally opened its doors to fanfare and excitement, offering cutting-edge 3D films.
But now, just weeks before the builders move in to begin work on its demolition, what was hoped would be a major attraction for Bournemouth lies dark, dirty and derelict.
As the hated Waterfront building enters its death throes - 13 years after the first venues there opened for business - we took our cameras inside to record some final images before it disappears forever.
Entering the foyer, where excited families would once buy their tickets, popcorn and drinks, there is a ghostly atmosphere.
The branding is still there, directing people to the ‘Imax experience’, as is a cash machine and a list of ice cream prices, but ceiling tiles and lights hang from above. The scene is almost like something out of a disaster movie, like the place has been rapidly deserted, never to be occupied again.
Everything is dirty – floors, walls, doors – every single surface.
It’s all a far cry from the shiny cinema that opened in 2002, two and a half years later than planned.
Upon entering the auditorium, now lit by a single temporary light, you can imagine excited children bounding inside, taking their seats ready to enjoy a 3D blockbuster on the huge screen.
Now the seats are gone and all that is left is the concrete base where they once were, covered in inch-thick grime.
The giant screen has gone too, with just a few tatters left at the top where it once hung.
On the floor I found a few old tickets from 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Somehow, a ticket for Santa 3D from Thursday, December 23, 2004, was lying on the dust-covered floor where a seat would have been fixed into place.
Perhaps an over-excited child dropped it during the screening. It must have escaped the notice of the cleaners, given that the cinema closed the following year.
At the start of November work will begin to strip out the internal fixtures and fittings, before the physical dismantling of the building begins in the New Year.
By April, the site should be moving into the landscaping phase ahead of finding a new lease of life as an outdoor event space next summer.
Roger Ball, service director for technical services at the council, said: “By next summer Bournemouth will have an exciting new outdoor events space on the seafront.
See all our Imax pictures in our gallery or step into our 360 degree panorama to see for yourself what it looks like today
“Finally, the Imax building – voted by the public as England’s most hated building – will come down and the sea views will be restored.
“The new Waterfront events space will open to the public with a schedule of events including a mix of music, theatre, arts, dance and sports.
“The site has been under-utilised for such a long time and so we are looking forward to providing activities that residents and visitors alike will appreciate and enjoy.”
It’s an irony that, 10 years after the Imax opened, 3D films are an everyday occurrence in run-of-the-mill cinemas in Bournemouth and Poole.
Maybe it was ahead of its time, but either way the Imax has died a slow, grimy death.
Read the history of the Imax, watch a film about its beginnings and learn about what's going to take its place at bournemouthecho.co.uk/imax
Comments(17)
BmthNewshound
says...
2:34pm Tue 23 Oct 12
.
And just what is exciting about a slab of concrete ?. It'll just be an eyesore like the rest of the pier head devoid of any character to be used on just a handful of occasions every year. How long before its handed over to S&D Leisure to turn it into an eyesore like the rest of the pier approach area ? Tacky stalls and overpiced second rate fair rides.
.
Bournemouth still lacks the all weather attraction it needs to attract visitors and a multiplex cinema and restaurant chains which can be found in most towns and cities isn't going to get them flocking.
.
Question is why is it that Blackpool can attract £millions in investment while investors turn their backs on "up market" Bournemouth ?
Oldcastle
says...
3:25pm Tue 23 Oct 12
muscliffman
says...
3:46pm Tue 23 Oct 12
Too many town people are understandably questioning the complete demolition of this adaptable public building - which they now own.
Perhaps the future, 'comprehensive development' backer is becoming nervous about their nice cleared prime-site being delivered as promised by some Town Hall pals.
£!0million of public money for a temporary slab of flat concrete, there has to be so much more to this than we are being told.
Propoganda and scandal - usually bed-mates.
topofall
says...
4:17pm Tue 23 Oct 12
ships1
says...
7:17pm Tue 23 Oct 12
As the IMAX is there, I think it should be used. 3D is huge now, when the IMAX opened it was not such a craze and you only got to see films that were made, just for a 3D experience, where as now, the main stream films are also produced in 3D.
They will take it down and in about 5 years, they will build a 3D cinema..mark my words! The council and the people that make these desicions, should be strung up.
oneshortleg
says...
8:02pm Tue 23 Oct 12
http://www.bournemou
th.gov.uk/CouncilDem
ocracy/Localism/Who-
can-submit-an-expres
sion-of-interest.asp
x
BIGTONE
says...
8:06pm Tue 23 Oct 12
Wageslave
says...
9:00pm Tue 23 Oct 12
HRH of Boscombe
says...
9:52pm Tue 23 Oct 12
oneshortleg wrote:Voted one of the UK's most hated buildings.
According to the council it received only 13 objections to the building being demolished, however it is not to late under the localism bill to express an interest in this building halting the demolition!
http://www.bournemou
th.gov.uk/CouncilDem
ocracy/Localism/Who-
can-submit-an-expres
sion-of-interest.asp
x
.
http://www.bbc.co.uk
/news/uk-england-dor
set-19543328
.
That monstrosity need to come down asap.
muscliffman
says...
10:34pm Tue 23 Oct 12
Wageslave wrote:OK. So level the Royal Bath Hotel, Russell Court Hotel, Russell Cotes Museum Museum and in fact all of Bournemouth less than half-a-mile from the seafront.
Its true Imax cinemas are really taking off, but do not need a sea view.This was a great idea built in the wrong place.
Smashing views all perfectly restored.
Then what?
HRH of Boscombe -
OK if you feel that strongly a £10million cheque from you payable to 'Bournemouth Council Tax Payers' please and then do as you want with the Imax Building and site.
Of course you could build a large multi-storey block of residential flats there and make a huge profit on your investment.....oh, sorry someone may already have got that one in mind, but using public money first to clear and temporarily secure the site for them.
Just make the Imax pretty (so even HRH loves it) and then use it!
BarrHumbug
says...
10:11am Wed 24 Oct 12
Breaking news! - Unused building gets dusty.
Glashen
says...
10:28am Wed 24 Oct 12
muscliffman wrote:muscliffman: it isn't any view, it is a very particular view that represents Bournemouth and it isn't any building it was a virtually empty one that had been voted the ugliest building in Britain. I don't believe the site will be build on in the foreseeable future, though presumably the complainants would be happy with this outcome since it would recoup the council investment. One thought the money to buy the IMAX came substantially from the sale of Terrace road car park so would all those who complain object if it were used as a car park?
Wageslave wrote:OK. So level the Royal Bath Hotel, Russell Court Hotel, Russell Cotes Museum Museum and in fact all of Bournemouth less than half-a-mile from the seafront.
Its true Imax cinemas are really taking off, but do not need a sea view.This was a great idea built in the wrong place.
Smashing views all perfectly restored.
Then what?
HRH of Boscombe -
OK if you feel that strongly a £10million cheque from you payable to 'Bournemouth Council Tax Payers' please and then do as you want with the Imax Building and site.
Of course you could build a large multi-storey block of residential flats there and make a huge profit on your investment.....oh, sorry someone may already have got that one in mind, but using public money first to clear and temporarily secure the site for them.
Just make the Imax pretty (so even HRH loves it) and then use it!
HRH of Boscombe
says...
10:58am Wed 24 Oct 12
muscliffman wrote:It's not just me though is it if it's been voted one of the UK's most hated buildings?
Wageslave wrote: Its true Imax cinemas are really taking off, but do not need a sea view.This was a great idea built in the wrong place.OK. So level the Royal Bath Hotel, Russell Court Hotel, Russell Cotes Museum Museum and in fact all of Bournemouth less than half-a-mile from the seafront. Smashing views all perfectly restored. Then what? HRH of Boscombe - OK if you feel that strongly a £10million cheque from you payable to 'Bournemouth Council Tax Payers' please and then do as you want with the Imax Building and site. Of course you could build a large multi-storey block of residential flats there and make a huge profit on your investment.....oh, sorry someone may already have got that one in mind, but using public money first to clear and temporarily secure the site for them. Just make the Imax pretty (so even HRH loves it) and then use it!
.
The building should never have been approved in the first place. Maybe the people who cashed in forcing it through should cough up.
Bob49
says...
11:29am Wed 24 Oct 12
oh dear
What do you think 'comprehensive redevelopment' means Glashen ?
Why do you think the council has spent £10m buying up and clearing that site for ?
An open space for street performers, a dog walking area perhaps ?
When you see the scams and dodges that go on it is not hard to see how easy it is to pul off, especially when they even tell us what they are up to and folk still delude themselves otherwise.
Porkchopdinner
says...
9:36am Thu 25 Oct 12
The screen It might be possible to reuse it if it was removed carefully but I doubt it It was removed so that they can get to the Sonics I bet you didn't know that ECHO kiddies working at the ECHO!!!!!!
All the some few millions worth of IMAX 15pef 70mm along with sound racking holding sound processor and amps and cake platters now fitted elsewhere.
I feel ashamed to be a Bournemouth-er not while the young and old who are all BACK STABBERS of this town and so what if the IMAX wasn't doing well what gives you the RIGHTS to poke yours noses in! You make me sick!
You know how many f%R*(ing miles one would have to travel to the nearest IMAX! f%&*king LONDON that's how far!
Bournemouth back stabbers who voted for this to be demolished you better stay the f%^)(k out of my face!
3-d is making a comeback now for those who like and dislike it its big business now and its shame IMAX has gone or maybe it should come back with its head held up high with pride and forget about the Bournemouth traitorous back stabbers they can go to hell!
I hate traitors!
Long Live and HAIL to IMAX!
HRH of Boscombe
says...
3:43pm Thu 25 Oct 12
Porkchopdinner wrote:Wooo, we are an angry geek aren't we lol
It seems like all the five directional Sonic loudspeakers along with x8 18" subs have also been removed and no doubt fitted in another IMAX screen as they alone are worth ££££ you don't see IMAX speakers on eBay these days. The screen It might be possible to reuse it if it was removed carefully but I doubt it It was removed so that they can get to the Sonics I bet you didn't know that ECHO kiddies working at the ECHO!!!!!! All the some few millions worth of IMAX 15pef 70mm along with sound racking holding sound processor and amps and cake platters now fitted elsewhere. I feel ashamed to be a Bournemouth-er not while the young and old who are all BACK STABBERS of this town and so what if the IMAX wasn't doing well what gives you the RIGHTS to poke yours noses in! You make me sick! You know how many f%R*(ing miles one would have to travel to the nearest IMAX! f%&*king LONDON that's how far! Bournemouth back stabbers who voted for this to be demolished you better stay the f%^)(k out of my face! 3-d is making a comeback now for those who like and dislike it its big business now and its shame IMAX has gone or maybe it should come back with its head held up high with pride and forget about the Bournemouth traitorous back stabbers they can go to hell! I hate traitors! Long Live and HAIL to IMAX!
wonderway says...
1:56pm Tue 23 Oct 12
... new block of flats to spoil the view .................the new block buster from BBC