The owners of Liverpool's oldest cinema have been urged to provide clarity after failing to meet a promise of offering monthly updates about reopening.
It has been two months since Woolton Picture House outlined its plans for the future, promising monthly statements about its progress. However, it has not provided an update since.
The historic cinema has been closed since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, despite receiving funding from the taxpayer and a crowd-funding campaign to support its reopening. Its owners have also been criticised by the community in Woolton for a lack of communication, as there were no public updates issued about reopening between December 2021 and this September.
READ MORE: Inside former Liverpool player's abandoned Cheshire mansion
In December 2021, the owners stated their intention to reopen the picture house, which first opened its doors in 1927, at some point in 2022. However a post on the cinema's Facebook page from October 4 said the new target was to reopen in Spring 2023.
That post outlined two proposed phases of reopening - the first involving the single-screen cinema reopening, before Phase Two promises a transformation of the site into a "cultural venue", with a second smaller screen and function suite.
The statement was met with relief and promised monthly updates on these two phases. The statement read: "Moving forward on a monthly basis, we will update you on our journey and the progress of Phases One and Two and thank you as always for your support."
However, there has not been a social media post or public update from the cinema since that post in October.
Previously, the community in Woolton had urged for greater communication from the cinema's owners regarding its plans. Kris Brown, a Liberal Democrat councillor for the area, has spoken to the ECHO about his frustrations with both a lack of communication and the drawn-out process to get the cinema back up and running.
He believes the community has a right to transparency, especially considering the cinema accepted money from both a crowd-funding campaign and the taxpayer. About the recent lack of communication from the owners, Cllr Brown told the ECHO : "Sadly the lack of updates do not surprise me. This saga has been going on long enough and all the people that donated to the community fundraiser want answers.
"The picture house promised monthly updates but has not delivered. I’d urge them to update us all on progress soon.
"Again, despite constant ignored requests to help, my door remains open to talk at any time to help get the picture house back on track."
Woolton Picture House was approached for comment about its reopening.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
READ NEXT:
Mum desperate for answers after daughter's naked body found dumped in field
Dad 'famous' for Christmas lights can only turn them on for an hour a day
Mum's fears as children fall ill in damp, mouldy house
