Fresh hope for historic cinema's reopening as new plans submitted

A historic Liverpool cinema which has been closed for years could reopen after a planning application was submitted. Woolton Picture House first opened in 1927 but it has been shut since the coronavirus pandemic, despite being supported by a crowdfunder and public money to enable it to open its doors again.

The cinema's owner announced that it would close for good in July 2020, having suffered a loss of business due to the pandemic. However, it was saved from permanent closure by a GoFundMe campaign and the government's culture recovery fund, which was designed to support arts venues during coronavirus lockdowns.

Around £24,000 was raised by the crowdfunder, while the picture house was awarded £37,809 by the culture recovery fund, which was administered by the British Film Institute (BFI). The cinema, found on Mason Street in Woolton Village, said it collected £25,625 of the awarded funds.

Supported by around £50,000 in external funding, the cinema's owner took to Facebook in 2021 to state an intention to reopen in 2022. That did not happen and further pledges regarding reopening followed, but they have not yet come to fruition.

The cinema's social media pages have been silent since October 2022, when a statement on Facebook revealed plans to reopen in spring 2023, subject to the stability of the financial climate. That post also detailed plans to turn the building into "a cultural venue", with a second, smaller screen, a stage and a function suite. The owners promised monthly updates in that post, but none have been provided and the site remains closed.

However, there could be new hope for the cinema's revival, as a planning application was submitted to Liverpool City Council this month. Submitted by Jonathan Woodward (Woolton Picture House Limited), the application intends to replace the roof and refurbish part of the building, so that it can reopen.

The description of the proposal reads: "To continue use of premises as a cinema and mixed arts/events space (Use Class Sui Generis) facilitated by replacement of existing roof and installation of solar panels to front, new ramped access with glass balustrade to front, refurbishment of signage and canopy with installation of new glass roof to front and other minor external alterations following removal of existing front steps."

This submission of this planning application is the first update on the cinema's future since the October 2022 Facebook post. Sharing the planning application on Facebook, Woolton Liberal Democrat councillor Malcolm Kelly said: "Concern has been raised over the past few years about the future of this cinema, and so it is good news that we are seeing the possibility of the building being brought back into its original use.

"I have always said that whilst even the large multiplex cinemas are finding it difficult to keep running it must be as equally difficult for these smaller cinemas and just limiting its operation to the showing of movies would not have been sustainable. Therefore a slightly different business model to include additional provisions can be the only way to help secure the building's future as a cinema, providing that whatever takes place in the building does not have an overly adverse effect on the local community or nearby residents.

"With there being such a strong local community interest and financial support for Woolton Cinema it was important for the owners to have been fully transparent with what was happening with the cinema, but the local community quite understandably felt that this was not happening. I am always happy to reach out to the owners and meet with them in a constructive way to help re-build the trust and support from the local community that will most definitely be needed in order to help this business to be successful."

Drawings submitted as part of the application show plans to replace the roof with new slate tiles, with solar tiles on its south-facing part. The iconic Woolton Picture House sign would be refurbished, with a glass roof installed over it. The existing steps at the front door would be replaced with a ramp, while new planting flower beds would be placed near the entrance.

The ECHO has made a number of attempts to contact the cinema's owner about reopening - to no avail. Woolton Picture House has also been contacted for comment for this article.

An automated email response said: "Thank you for your email and for thinking of Woolton Picture House. Woolton Picture House is currently closed and unable to provide a re-opening date at present. As a result is not able to accepting (sic) any box office bookings or venue hires at this time.

"We will keep all our valued customers (such as yourself) updated on when we will be re-opening and dates venue hires will be available to be booked from, as early as possible. We apologies (sic) for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming you back to Woolton Picture House soon."