Lidl has pulled out of controversial plans to convert a former cinema into a new store.
It has confirmed today that it will no longer be pressing ahead with plans to convert the former Abbey Cinema in Wavertree into one of its stores. Two separate planning proposals have been made by the supermarket since 2021 but it appears the brand’s project has run out of road with its latest application withdrawn.
Lidl initially bought the Abbey Cinema building on Church Road North from Co-op and had planned to demolish the building and build a new 18,000 sq ft store at the site, creating 30 new jobs. The historic cinema building was designed by Sir Alfred Ernest Shennan and was completed in 1939 and closed 1979.
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However a campaign to save the building from being demolished was lodged and the cinema subsequently saved in 2021 after gaining Grade II* listed status. After its plans were scuppered, Lidl withdrew its initial proposal and had to return with a new design in August 2022.
The new proposal promised to “repair, restore and consolidate the corner rotunda feature, to include the installation of windows and wall tiles to match the original,” according to planning documents submitted to Liverpool city council. Other works were also set to take place to preserve the design while installing the new supermarket.
However Lidl has now confirmed that it will no longer be moving forward with these plans, according to reports by Place North West. It will be the second time Lidl has been forced to withdraw its application to breathe new life into the building.
While the retailers pointed out that they had “worked incredibly hard” to bring forward the development, a spokesperson for Lidl told Place North West: “However, due to the significant delays that we have faced since first acquiring the site, we have made the difficult decision to withdraw our application. We understand that this will be disappointing for those who backed our plans, and we want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took the time to give their support.”
Campaigners were keen to protect the distinctive building but its preservation has received mixed reactions from those in the local area, according to one local representative. Wavertree Labour Cllr Clare McIntyre told the ECHO that she is “fuming” that the revised plans will now not materialise and pointed to the wishes of local residents to have better shopping provisions in the area.
She said: “Hand on heart, once it got listed, I expected this. If it was going to be listed it should have been listed 20 years ago.
“Lidl had to work around this. They are a business and not a charity.
“I know the residents are going to be really disappointed by this [outcome]. A local, affordable supermarket was far more important to them.”
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