It's time for ACTION!

Six months to raise cash to save cinema

- By DAN HAYGARTH

Kevin Fearon at the Woolton Picture House

THERE are six months left to raise £700,000 to ensure the historic Woolton Picture House can reopen.

The cinema on Mason Street in Woolton Village has been closed since the Covid-19 pandemic, but new operators wish to revive it.

In May, the ECHO reported that a married couple agreed a deal to buy the venue. Kevin Fearon, 64, and Gillian Miller, 63, who live near Calderstones Park, have agreed to purchase the building from its current owner and intend to reopen it as a cinema.

Contracts have been exchanged with the current owner to purchase the building for £450,000.

A Community Interest Company has been set up to raise funds for the purchase and a further £250,000 for a refurbishment. Combined, this means that £700,000 is required.

A deposit has been paid and the deal is scheduled to be completed in May 2026. The cinema will reopen if the CIC can raise the required funds.

An update posted on the cinema's Facebook page says: “The fundraising starts now! Six months to raise £700,000? Let's get started!

“We need your support to get this 98-year-old gem back up and running. You can help with your skills, your time and, of course, through donating to our fundraising campaign.

“This is an all or nothing campaign. If we don’t reach our target of £700,000 by May 2026, then all donations will be refunded”