Liverpool’s oldest cinema, the Woolton Picture House, is set to re-open for twelve days before Christmas.
The beloved venue on Mason Street, which closed its doors in 2020, is being purchased and refurbished thanks to a campaign led by local theatre figures Kevin Fearon and Gillian Miller.
The pair, long-time residents of the area, agreed earlier this year to buy and restore the nearly century-old building. Kevin and Gillian are best known for their work at Liverpool’s Royal Court, where they transformed a 150-seat comedy club into the region’s largest full-time producing theatre. Over their tenure, they successfully raised £7.7 million to refurbish that venue, demonstrating the experience and commitment they now bring to the Woolton Picture House restoration.
After its closure five years ago, many feared the historic cinema had been lost for good. In response, a Community Interest Company (CIC) was established to raise funds for both the purchase and the refurbishment, ensuring the cinema will eventually be owned and managed by the Woolton community itself.
Speaking earlier this year, Kevin explained: “We’ve exchanged contracts. We have a year to pay the full price and we’re trying to raise the money for that. But yeah, I’m not quite ready for it, but it is so exciting.”
The fundraising campaign officially began last week, with a target of £700,000 needed by 2026 to reopen the 98-year-old cinema. Describing the initiative as “all or nothing,” Woolton Cinema CIC confirmed that any donations would be refunded if the goal is not met.
Encouragingly, early progress has been strong. By October 23, the team reported that more than £14,000 had been raised within the first week of fundraising. The hope is to reopen in time for Christmas, allowing residents to celebrate the festive season in one of Liverpool’s most treasured venues.
Plans for a special ‘12 Days of Christmas’ will feature classic holiday films set to screen from 12 to 24 December. The organisers cautioned that “the place is not in great shape, so you’ll need to keep your coats on but it will be safe and dry.”
