A former Cineworld venue which brought the latest films to Liverpool for over two decades saw film-lovers "sad to see it go."
Located in Edge Lane Retail Park, many will remember the former Cineworld venue first opened as an eight-screen MGM in 1991, as a project of Cineplex Odeon. By 1995, it had been renamed Virgin and later UGC in 1999.
Many memories were made at the cinema throughout its different lives. One being on July 15, 1999, when queues formed as early as 8am outside the Virgin multiscreen and bosses cancelled films at four of their screens to accommodate The Phantom Menace.
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Among the first to see the film was Star Wars fan Nick Wiswell, from Wigan, pictured above. At the time, he said he'd been "waiting 17 years for this moment."
The UGC later became Cineworld in 2005 - the last chapter of buildings life. It continued to attract film-lovers of all ages for a decade to see the latest releases, go on first dates or enjoy a Tango Iceblast.
As you entered through the double doors, you were immediately brought to the ticket office. Another set of doors opened to the main foyer, were visitors could buy popcorn, pic’n’mix, drinks and other snacks before entering one of the film screens.
During the decade, so many films were screened and it was a place to celebrate all occasions, from birthday parties to anniversaries. For youngsters in the surrounding areas, it was probably the first cinema they ever went to or visited alone without their parents.
But in April 2016, cinema-goers heard that Liverpool’s Edge Lane cinema was to close in three months. At the time, Cineworld said they were being booted out of its retail park building when the lease comes to an end and broke the news to registered cinema members via email.
It said: "We are sad to share the news that your local Cineworld will soon be closing. After a decade serving the movie lovers of Liverpool, the landlord has served us notice on our building.
"But fear not, we will continue to show the latest movies and blockbusters right up until the cinema closes on July 14, 2016." The email said a new Cineworld was due to open in late 2018 as part of the New Mersey Retail Park in Speke.
At the time, Sharon Rusk, general manager of the Edge Lane cinema, said: "We’ve already started a minimum 30-day consultation period with the 35 cinema employees, which will continue after the closure of the cinema. We will work with our employees throughout their consultation period to identify vacancies and new opportunities within our business."
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By July 2016, the credits were rolling for Edge Lane Cineworld - and filmgoers were gutted. The closure left Liverpool without a Cineworld for the first time in 25 years, though a new one was planned for Speke in late 2018.
The cinema’s Facebook page was flooded with loving comments after it shared an image of the cinema with a sign above its doors that read "Goodbye from Liverpool & thank you 1991-2016." And it prompted an outpouring of memories from dozens of people.
At the time, Spike Dickens wrote: "Many happy memories there. Three years ago I fell in love with a girl who loved films, we both got unlimited cards and went once or twice a week over the next three years. Within that time we had a child, got engaged, had all sorts of ups and downs but always made time for our favourite cinema."
What are your memories of Cineworld Edge Lane? Let us know in the comments section below.
The final day of Cineworld Edge Lane was on Thursday, July 14, 2016. That day, screened films included Central Intelligence, Independence Day, Now You See Me 2 and Ghostbusters.
A the time, ECHO readers also shared their fond memories of the cinema. Margie Hunter and Adam Davies both said they were "sad to see it go."
Karen Griffiths posted: "I remember watching Dumb&Dumber with my twin sister, we laughed that much I went into early labour. Also taking the kids to watch their favourite movies, Babe, Lion King and many more.
And Chris Wagg wrote: "First time I went here I was about 12/13, I went to see RobinHood Prince of thieves. I remember one minute enjoying the film then saying to to my I need some air and I feel sick, next thing I know I'm in the toilet as I'd passed out in the foyer and I threw up in the toilet.. I still haven't saw the ending!"
What do you miss most about the past? Attractions, lost venues or perhaps the way of life. Take a look at our nostalgia survey
In recent years, the New Liverpool Shopping Park has underwent a major development. It's welcomed big brands such as M&S, H&M, Greggs and Chiquito. As for Cineworld, a new 11-screen cinema opened in summer 2018 at Speke's New Mersey Retail Park, along with a number of restaurants including Nandos and Wagamamas
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