1960s · The Odeon

A lifetime in one building

told by Terry Jay · Kingstanding resident

The Odeon at Kingstanding Circle. Photograph: Andy Mabbett, July 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Went as a child with his sisters, buying sweets from Mores sweet shop beforehand — and later worked in the very same building as a bingo caller in 1966.

Gathered by the Voices of Kingstanding project and the Birmingham History Forum, and shared with thanks.

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The Mecca bingo hall in the former Odeon, 2009. Photograph: Derek Bennett (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Martin Brookes · 1970s · The Odeon

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Remembers the building becoming a bingo hall around 1973 and running until 1999; his grandparents Annie and Edward Raven of Esher Road went regularly.

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Art Deco detail of the frontage Edith would have known. Photograph: Andy Mabbett, July 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Angela Cotgrave · 1930s · The Odeon

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Richard Wall · 1940s · The Odeon

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Attended the matinees in 1944, singing along to lyrics projected with a bouncing ball, children tipping up the seats during the action scenes.

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