Faded and weathered posters for Peter Rabbit 2 are still displayed next to the front door of Woolton Picture House.
Originally, the family-friendly sequel was set to be released in UK cinemas in March 2020. Foiled by the outbreak of Covid, the film was then moved to August 2020, with hope the pandemic would have been dealt with by then.
After a number of further changes to the release schedule, the Beatrix Potter adaptation was eventually seen by UK audiences from May 2021.
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However, in the time between Peter Rabbit 2's initial planned release date and its actual release, Woolton Picture House announced it was closing for good. Having first opened in 1927, the Mason Street venue had been hit hard by the pandemic and cited its "devastating and unforeseen circumstances" as the reasons for its July 2020 closure.
Liverpool's oldest remaining cinema, which is almost as old as the art form itself, had played host to over 90 years of trips to the movies. For many across the city, the news of its demise was devastating and people rallied to support it.
As such, the historic venue was rescued with a GoFundMe campaign, which raised more than £24,000 in donations from the public during 2020 and 2021. Moreover, the ECHO reported earlier this month (September 7) that the GoFundMe money was not the only financial support that the cinema received during that period. Woolton Picture House was also awarded £37,809 from the government 's Culture Recovery Fund in order to support it through the pandemic, meaning it was assisted with a total of around £62,000 from external sources.
Despite the funding, news on plans to open again remained quiet until December 2021, when a post on the cinema's Facebook page announced that it planned to reopen in 2022. The cinema did not offer an exact date for this, but the Facebook post stated: "it is our full intention that we will be re-opening our big, red doors during 2022".
It also explained the money raised had: "helped to maintain the building and its continuing overheads whilst the cinema has been closed. This includes finance, certification, insurances, and general upkeep and maintenance to retain this historic building; all of which are areas which many businesses have struggled with during the pandemic".
Additionally, the post continued: "We look forward to when we will meet again and will be very excited to welcome you all back to Woolton Picture House in 2022 so that you may enjoy the big screen experience in your beloved cinema once again."
Now, nine and half months through 2022, the cinema has not reopened and there have been no further public updates on the Facebook page. The ECHO has made numerous attempts to contact the cinema, emailing the address listed on the page multiple times in recent months. The phone number listed on the page does not ring. Attempts to send a message to the cinema on Facebook are met with an automated reply, which reads: "Thank you for messaging Woolton Picture House. At present our Facebook Inbox is not monitored".
After previous articles about the cinema were published, a Woolton resident got in touch to say she saw people painting the cinema's façade in August, as well as a carpet being removed. The ECHO went to Woolton on Friday (September 16) in an attempt to find out more.
When the ECHO visited, the grey painting job had not been finished, with some areas of the cinema's very recognisable red paint remaining. Weeds were growing in the gutters, while the aforementioned Peter Rabbit 2 posters were still on display.
A small pile of post was also resting by the front door. After knocking on the door and ringing the doorbell, nobody answered.
Kris Brown, Woolton and Gateacre's Liberal Democrat Councillor, has told the ECHO his attempts to contact the cinema have also proved fruitless. He also said the issue fills his inbox, with Woolton residents worried about the lack of updates about the building.
However, despite a lack of news from the cinema itself, the British Film Institute - which administered the Culture Recovery Fund on behalf of the government - told the ECHO earlier in September that it has received confirmation that Woolton Picture House intends to reopen this year. A BFI spokesperson said: "Woolton Picture House was awarded funding by the BFI through the Culture Recovery Fund for Independent Cinemas which closed in March this year.
"We are aware the cinema is currently closed, however, we received confirmation that the cinema intends to reopen.”
Irrespective of this, Woolton resident, Tom, 25, told the ECHO there is a lot of concern about the cinema. For him, it is a welcome reminder of his childhood in Woolton Village and a key part of the area's fabric.
He said: " For a lot of people in South Liverpool, their earliest memories of film and cinema will have involved the Woolton Cinema. It is the place I watched my first film on the big screen - The Tiger Movie - and I can still remember it 22 years on.
"The traditional hole punched tickets, the red seats and cosy atmosphere, rolling down the sloped floor as kids and the interval ice creams will be fond memories for most and that can't be replicated in any cinemas today".
He added: "After the closure of the Woolton baths, the cinema really became the last key staple of the village - its heart in many ways. In an ever-changing village, it's a call back to many of what the village was, as well as the spirit and the strong community it truly is.
Cllr Kris Brown wants answers about the cinema's plans for reopening from the cinema itself. He believes the money given to the cinema from taxpayer funds and a community fundraiser means it has a responsibility to be open.
He said: "If you include the community fundraiser, we’re looking at nearly £60,000 given to support the reopening of the Woolton Picture House.
“Given the cultural recovery fund is a taxpayer fund, I think this now raises the need for further reassurance from the cinema that they intend to reopen soon. Further questions need to be answered in relation to the terms of the fund administered from the BFI - for example, why did the cinema not announce they were in receipt of the funds, as was required from the BFI’s own guidance.”
Tom also wants more communication from those who own it. He said: "I think there's a lot of concern over the cinema, both because of the fundraising that's been done but also concerns about development on the land if it doesn't reopen and losing a focal point of the village.
"It's not hard for the owners to communicate more with the people, everyone is so positive about the cinema and wanting to go back there, so you'd hope the owners would see how much it is loved and would want to build a good relationship there. It's understandable that the cinema may have to adapt but with many good local food establishments, there could be room for making it more like the Everyman Cinema in town, while keeping the character and magic that everyone loves."
Most of the ECHO's recent attempts to contact those running the cinema have not been met with a reply. Emails went unanswered until a message sent on Thursday, which received an automated reply.
It read: "Thank you for your email and for thinking of Woolton Picture House.
"Unfortunately, Woolton Picture House is currently closed and is unable to provide a re-opening date at this time. We will keep all our valued customers (such as yourself) updated on when we will be re-opening via our website and Facebook page, as early as possible.
"We apologies (sic) for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming you back to Woolton Picture House soon."
Now, nine months after the cinema's reopening plans were made public, many will hope that this is indeed the case.
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