Closed for good!

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Well, that was a surprise! Nearby Hobson’s Choice announced it was closing its doors permanently!

OK, it was never going to be awarded a Michelin Star, but it was on our doorstep and offered a ‘basic’ menu (read ‘cheap’) and the staff there were always super-friendly. Every time I visited, it was always doing a good trade, so initially, I wasn’t sure why they’d suddenly announced this news? It was a real shock to the system as it’s been there pretty much as long as we’ve lived here.

Given that nearby Mazza’s (the Indian Restaurant) closed some years ago and that was followed by its neighbour, Frankie and Benny’s, in October 2022, that only left KFC and the Odeon in the immediate area. Surely, they wouldn’t go the same way? Would they? WOULD THEY?

A few hours later, KFC put out a Press Release in the local paper confirming they had no plans to close! (Although I don’t think a lot of us were convinced!!)

So, what of the Odeon? Surely Kettering’s ONLY cinema wouldn’t suffer the same fate?

Then, a week later, our worst fears were confirmed… (KFC is staying open) BUT the Odeon is closing next January!

Later newspaper reports said that the whole area is to be bulldozed! Surely not another self-storage area or warehousing!!! Local rumours sprang up immediately suggesting that they’d both ‘sold up’ whilst later news hinted at the Landlord buying them out of their leases.

Whatever the reason, all-in-all, it’s a very sad day for us locals! 😥😥. To think that Kettering once boasted SIX cinemas!