Liverpool’s historic Woolton Picture House is close to its £450,000 fundraising target to reopen after a six-year closure. The 1927 cinema shut during the pandemic, but a revival campaign led by theatre operators hopes to bring it back into regular use.
The historic Woolton Picture House in Liverpool is nearing its goal of community ownership. After launching an extensive fundraising effort, the cinema’s campaign has already secured the vast majority of the £450,000 required to purchase the landmark building and secure its future for the public. As of now, the campaign is roughly £10,000 shy of its target, with a deadline set for May 8th. The organizers, operating under the Woolton Cinema CIC, have expressed their profound gratitude for the support received, which has ranged from substantial donations—including one notable contribution of £100,000 from a local resident—to smaller, meaningful amounts from individual donors.
According to Iain Christie, representative for the Woolton Cinema CIC, the widespread response from the local community has been particularly impactful. “What’s blown us away is the tens, the twenties, the fifties that have come in from everyday people,” Christie said.
Beyond the initial purchase, the campaign marks the beginning of a larger development plan. As the oldest cinema in Liverpool, the venue requires significant restoration work, including essential repairs to electrical systems, restroom facilities, and fire safety doors. These infrastructure projects are slated to begin this summer, with the aim of reopening the doors to film audiences by the autumn. The long-term vision for the space goes beyond screening movies; the organizers hope to revitalize the front of the auditorium into a versatile, larger space.
This will allow the venue to serve as a hub for the local community, hosting presentations, meetings, educational classes, and social events. Christie emphasized that the cinema belongs to the people of South Liverpool, rather than its directors. “This doesn't belong to me or any of the directors,” Christie said. “It belongs to the whole of South Liverpool.” As the project moves into its next phase, the team is focused on completing these initial repairs to make the building operational.
Once the cinema is functional, the ongoing fundraising efforts will be directed toward fulfilling the ambition of establishing the best small cinema in the world.
