An historic cinema which closed its doors exactly a year ago could have a new future after sparking interest from a potential developer, The Northern Echo can reveal.

The Odeon cinema on Darlington’s Northgate showed its last film a year ago yesterday (Friday, June 30) after entertaining film fans for more than 80 years.

The building was soon boarded up and signage torn down after the cinema chain moved out, with ‘for sale’ signs popping up last Autumnn.

Read more: PICTURES: Odeon Darlington over the years as it shuts down for good

The Echo understands the building has seen interest from a potential developer, but no formal planning application has yet been submitted to the council.

It means the historic building could be given a new lease of life and saved from falling into disrepair.

Darlington Borough Council was contacted for a comment.

The Northern Echo: Odeon in Darlington.Odeon in Darlington. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

MP Peter Gibson said he will be calling on the owners to maintain it until a sale is finalised.

He said: “I was saddened to see the Odeon Close a year ago.

“I will be raising the state of the building with the owners and asking them to ensure it remains in good order until a sale progresses.

“Northgate is an important gateway to the town, and the £23.3m we secured from the towns fund is helping to secure properties and make improvements to this historic area. I would encourage all building owners to do what they can to make their buildings look the bees’ knees before 2025.”

Last June The Northern Echo revealed that Odeon planned to close the cinema after more than eight decades, putting a dozen jobs at risk.

The venue closed just two weeks later on June 30, 2022, putting the future of the iconic building in doubt.

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The cinema was opened in December 1938 as The Regal cinema at a cost of £50,000 and ran as the ABC, the Canon and MGM before being taken over by Odeon.

It replaced the Theatre Royal, which had been first built in 1868 only to be demolished in 1873, rebuilt in 1881 only to burn down in 1883, to be restored once more and last until October 10, 1936.

When the closure was announced last year an Odeon spokesperson said the decision “was not taken lightly and followed a thorough review of all possible options”.