There is new hope for Liverpool’s oldest independent cinema which closed to the public more than four years ago.
Woolton Picture House, located on Mason Street in Woolton Village, closed in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. Shortly after its closure, a fundraiser was launched and more than £20,000 was raised in a bid to revive the historic local gem.
Woolton Picture House, located on Mason Street in Woolton Village, closed in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. Shortly after its closure, a fundraiser was launched and more than £20,000 was raised in a bid to revive the historic local gem.
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00:00Plans have been submitted to Liverpool City Council to reopen Walton Picturehouse.
00:05The oldest surviving cinema in the city shut its doors in 2020.
00:09Locals crowdfunded over £24,000 to save the much-loved building.
00:13However, people have aired their frustration at a lack of updates over the past almost four years.
00:19Sue Snow, who set up the fundraiser, spoke to us about the update.
00:23I'm just so glad now that there is a bit more transparency and we know what's happening.
00:30And I'd just like a bit more, you know, regular updates would be absolutely great.
00:35In the first social media post since 2020, they thanked customers for their patience
00:40and said they've been working behind the scenes on exciting plans
00:44and that they've recently submitted a planning application to Liverpool City Council.
00:48I think now is the time that, you know, they've said it's the right time to try and reopen.
00:56So here's hoping.
00:57The planning application, which is available to view on the City Council's website,
01:01states plans to continue the use of the building as a cinema and mixed art event space,
01:06facilitated by the replacement of the existing roof and installation of solar panels,
01:11new ramped access and refurbishment of signage and canopy with an installation of a new glass roof.
01:18The cinema's got such a good community base. It's part and centre to Walton Village.
01:26And as a child, I used to go and there's just so many nice memories for quite a lot of people.
01:33And when that first notice went up that the cinema was closing,
01:37it was, no, we need to do something. We need to stop this and try and keep it open.
01:43So I just launched a GoFundMe page.
01:46Walton Picture House opened its doors in 1927.
01:49Throughout the Second World War,
01:51it provided the local community with news from the front line and even survived the Blitz.
01:56Walton Picture House has been approached for comment.