Inside Alma de Cuba before it transformed into much loved institution

Before Alma de Cuba became the institution it did, it used to be a place of worship. The Seel Street venue was originally St Peter's Catholic Church before closing in 1976.

It later went on to serve the local Polish community and it is believed Mother Theresa prayed there while visiting Liverpool in the 90s. On June 19, 1938, the church celebrated its 150th anniversary and at the time was the oldest Roman Catholic church in the city.

However, the building would completely change in 2005 when it transformed into a venue. Alma de Cuba became a popular celebrity haunt, and hosted a Liverpool FC players' party following the team’s 2006 FA Cup win.

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Atomic Kitten’s Liz McClarnon filmed the video for her 2006 solo debut ‘Woman In Love’ in the bar, which went through a number of ownership changes in recent years. Behind the altar in the church there used to be a large picture of St Peter.

This was removed from the church and is now stored at the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. The area where the picture was located was replaced by a large mirror in the Alma de Cuba.

Earlier this month, the ECHO reported how the site will now be closed for two to three months while it's restored, renovated and re-purposed as St Peter's Tavern. The '1936 Pub Company' who have been responsible for restoring and reopening famous Liverpool pub The Monro earlier this month and winning a national award for the restoration of The Vines will be taking over the legendary Alma De Cuba site.

Courtesy of our archives, Mirrorpix, these photos which have been unseen for years offer a glimpse into what the church used to look like nearly a century ago. Captured in the 1930s, only certain generations will have seen inside the site when it operated as a church and its ornate décor.

The chance to revitalise the prestigious St Peter's site was an opportunity that could not be passed up by the vintage pub-revival group. Senior operations person for the 1936 Pub Company, Mary Jane King said: ‘'The Alma de Cuba/St Peter’s church site is a heritage building that will be a perfect addition to our pub family. The chance to develop a concept within a structure as special as St Peter’s church is an honour and an opportunity we simply couldn’t resist.’'

"Alma de Cuba has been a Liverpool institution for nearly 20 years, but good things reach a conclusion and we believe it’s time for a fresh approach to this historic site. We are planning something spectacular and dramatic, as the building’s heritage and scale demands, but is at the same time, familiar and accessible. Our re-imagined St Peter’s will welcome all.''

The group say the venue will continue to be a 'great big pub' that offers great drinks and a huge range of cask ales, craft beers and stouts. Hot and cold pies will also be something pub goers can look forward to as they add 'we’re all about beers, pies and great pub jukebox tunes, and of course our prices will be pub prices.'

Work on the site will begin in September with the venue to re-open in late November.