Leicester Athena

Athena is a Grade II-listed events venue in the cultural quarter of Leicester City Centre, England. Built originally as an Odeon Cinema in 1936, it closed for most of the 1990s and remained vacant up until 2005, where the building was restored as a multi-discipline events venue.

Athena
Athena in April 2010
Former namesLeicester Odeon
AddressQueen Street
Leicester LE1 1QD
England
LocationLeicester
TypeEarly 20th century art deco cinema
Capacity2,000
Construction
Built1936
Opened1936-1997, 2005-Present
Renovated2005
ArchitectRobert Arthur Bullivant (architect)
Website
Venue Website

History
Athena as the Odeon Cinema in 1936

The building was originally designed and built in 1936 in the Streamline Moderne style by Robert Arthur Bullivant, and operated as an Odeon Cinema.[1][2] When it was first opened, the Odeon was one of the most extravagant and largest buildings in the region, with one screen and seating 2,182 guests.[2] The terracotta panels, which feature mermaids, were hand-moulded by William Neatby at the Lambeth premises of Doulton and Co.

The interior was subdivided in 1974, into three small cinemas, and closed in 1997.[1][2] The building has been Grade II listed since August 1997, giving it protection from unauthorised modification or demolition.[2]

The building has been restored and converted into a venue for corporate and social events.

Athena Today
Leicester band Kasabian headline concert at Athena

Since re-opening in 2005, Athena has been host to artists including Olly Murs, Kasabian, Oliver Mtukudzi, X Factor Live shows, Roy Chubby Brown and Jim Davidson.[3]

Award-winning Venue

In 2017, Athena received a Silver award at the Awards Awards in the category for Best Awards Venue, and in the same year, was a finalist at The Drum UK Event Awards.{Citation needed|date=August 2020}}

In 2018 it picked up two awards at the National Venue Awards, receiving another Silver award for Best Awards Ceremony Venue and being named winner of the Best Event Venue for 500–1000 Guests category.[4]

References
  1. Ruddy, Austin J (13 July 2017). "Leicester's Odeon building still makes a big impression". Leicester Mercury. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  2. Historic England. "THE ODEON THEATRE, City of Leicester (1245137)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  3. "Home | Athena Leicester". www.athenacb.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  4. "Athena wins two awards at National Venue Awards | Athena Leicester". www.athenacb.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-07-31.

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