THE sale of the former St Albans Odeon to cinema entrepreneur James Hannaway went through today. Contracts have been exchanged between Mr Hannaway and the owners of the Odeon, Wattsdown Developments, following a campaign to raise �1 million to purchase th

THE sale of the former St Albans Odeon to cinema entrepreneur James Hannaway went through today.

Contracts have been exchanged between Mr Hannaway and the owners of the Odeon, Wattsdown Developments, following a campaign to raise �1 million to purchase the art deco building.

In only a short space of time, Mr Hannaway and his supporters succeeded in raising more than the �1 million required to buy the dilapidated cinema in London Road which had planning permission for new flats.

He still has to find a further �2.5 million to restore the building to its former glory, at which time it will be renamed The Alpha.

Mr Hannaway has experience in restoring cinemas - against the odds he bought and refurbished the Rex in Berkhamsted which is now one of the most popular cinemas in the county.