Living Hadley Moving with the times The words 'Art Deco' conjures up images of colourful hotels in Miami Beach and sleek Manhattan skyscrapers. One is less likely to associate our very own charming suburb with this inter-war architectural movement. Barnet however, quietly lays claims to some very fine examples of the deco style, just waiting to be appreciated. Catching a film at one of London's Odeon cinemas can be a very deco affair. The Grade II listed Odeon that lies at the bottom of Barnet Hill demonstrates how much fun art deco can be, injecting flamboyance and eccentricity into the suburban cinema experience. Barnet Odeon, like many deco buildings, pays homage to the rather exotic styles of the past and in this case it resembles a Moorish palace, with its long dramatic windows flanked by brick towers. Since 15th May 1935, when it first opened with the black and white flick Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round, cinema-goers have been treated to the upper auditorium's rich blend of deco with Moorish motifs providing a grandiose setting for every film viewed there. Another deco wonder is reserved for art house movie lovers in the form of the independent Phoenix cinema, which was built in 1910 and is believed to be the oldest purpose-built cinema in the UK. The rather austere exterior belies the wonderfully decadent auditorium inside with its illuminated wall reliefs, which were part of the 1938 renovation project. In fact, the auditorium feels a bit like a mini Radio City Hall and is intoxicatingly glamorous. Those who have fallen for its Grade II listed charms include director Neil Jordan who chose it as a location for both his Interview with a Vampire and The End of the Affair. Barnet did have more deco cinemas but sadly these fell victims to the developer's wrecking ball. These included the Essoldo in East Barnet Road, where a Budgens now stands, the Gaumont in High Barnet and The Regal cinema in Lytton Road, New Barnet. Thankfully Barnet Odeon and the Phoenix will not suffer the same fate as both have been listed so we can forever more savour their sumptuous surroundings. The Tube provides more chances to encounter the deco style. Northern Line commuters are lucky enough to journey through East Finchley station (1939), one of the many masterpieces that the revered architect Charles Holden designed for London Underground when they extended their network to serve the outer suburbs in the 1930s. The art deco movement was preoccupied with modernity and the design of Holden's streamlined station embodies the swiftness and efficiency of London's newly expanded transport system. Of particular interest, and very hard to ignore, is the 10ft tall stylised metal archer that stands on a parapet next to Platform 4. Sculpted by Eric Aumonier, it apparently symbolises the former hunting forest of North Middlesex but also surely celebrates the direct and speedy electric train journey into the West End where its arrow points. Holden's Grade II listed station in nearby Southgate has also got to get a mention for its outlandish design. Its completely circular shape resembles a flying saucer and the elegantly preserved interior, with bronze uplighters on the escalators, was used to great effect again by Neil Jordan for The End of the Affair. It's nice to think that Barnet, though not as sexy as Miami or buzzy like New York, does have its small part to play in the art deco legacy. And it's comforting to know that having listed most of these treasures they will be there forever to inject the deco spirit into the lives of Barnet folk.