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The Odeon:

The Odeon was converted into a triple screen cinema in November 1974 and closed on 4th June 1983. The building was
de-tripled and converted into a Top Rank Bingo Club which opened in July 1983. It was later re-named Mecca Bingo,
which led to protests from the local Muslim population in the town. Under pressure, the name ‘Mecca’ was removed
from the front of the building, although it was retained inside. The bingo operation closed in late January 1999 and the
building was given a Grade II Listed building consent by English Heritage in March 1999. It sat empty and unused until it
re-opened as the Calvary Church of God in Christ on 9th February 2001.

Shopping in Bury Park:

This is a picture that appeared in the
Luton News in September 1969 in a
special feature on Bury Park. It shows
Mirza Khan and Zafar Qureshi at a shop
in Bury Park Road that sold Pakistani,
Indian and English food. The paper
reported: “In it, one can buy chapattis,
lime pickle or Heinz baked beans. It is
the only shop in Luton of its kind and
business is brisk”. It was the second
Asian shop after the Kashmiri shop in
the middle of (number 59) Oak Road.
This was located behind Barclays bank.
They were 3/4 little shops one of them
is in pic above. Mr Mirza later bought
shops on Selbourne Rd and Leagrave Rd
corner. It was the only Asian halal meat
shop much before Kashmir Store on
Oak Road.

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