Skip to main content

Save John Lennon's Cinema!

The entrance hall of The Woolton Cinema where John Lennon went to the picturesWoolton Cinema in Liverpool is an historical landmark which first opened to the public in 1927. It was frequented by John Lennon and was also the scene of some early Beatles' wooing of local ladies and features on the Magical Mystery Tour. It is loved by Liverpudlians, but it is in danger of bei ng lost through demolition, despite a community campaign in the city to save it.

Maurice Gleeson of Liverpool writes: A friend of mine is trying to save one of the last remaining Independent Cinemas in Britain from demolition and needs your help! As film-makers, we rely heavily on independent cinema for the type of movies we make, so saving this cinema is an investment in our own future!!

The Walton's single screen in the grand style of the 1920sWoolton Cinema in Liverpool is an historical landmark. The cinema first opened to the public on Boxing Day 1927 and it's steadfast, old style, single-screen glamour continued to thrill and amaze the Liverpool public till the untimely passing of its patron, Mr. David Wood, in June 2006 at the early age of 59. It was frequented by John Lennon (and indeed all the Quarrymen) who used to go to the cinema in their youth (they called it 'the Bug House' or 'The Bug'). The cinema was also the scene of some early Beatles' wooing of local ladies and features on the Magical Mystery tour.

The Woolton successfully fought off the Multiplex invasion of the 1980s (and the bombings of WWII) and with its unique blend of vintage presentation, comfort and friendly staff, it had a bright and lasting future as Liverpool's best loved cinema.

Following Mr. Woods death, the cinema is now for sale and in danger of being lost forever. However, local Woolton village resident and campaigner Glen Simpson, has taken the torch on behalf of everyone in Liverpool who has been touched by Woolton Cinema, to work with the council and purchase the Picture House as a community cinema.

Frontage of The Woolton cinemaIn just a few weeks they have drummed up loads of support, including Willy Russell, Alex Cox, Mike McCartney, Simon O'Brien, Garry Christian, and the "Quarrymen" as well as a host of local councillors and musicians (see the Supporter's Page on their website). They've been in all the local press and on Granada TV (the cinema was featured on Granada Reports as one of the "Seven Wonders of the North West"), Channel 5, BBC Radio Merseyside, and BBC Video Nation.

Their plan is to not only re-open the cinema as it was, showing the usual blockbusters, but to extend it into a cinematic arts centre, showing independent and foreign films, utilizing the stage for local pantomime, drama and stand up comedy, and education aims such as showing the films relevant to kids' GCSE and A level courses - a true community project.

Please visit http://www.savewooltoncinema.co.uk/ and lend your support by either making a secure donation (through PayPal), adding your name to the Supporter's Page, signing the Guest Book (especially if you have personal memories of the cinema), or volunteering to help out with some of their fund-raising activities.

Don't let Woolton Cinema be bulldozed to the ground - Protect our future !!!

Maurice Gleeson - aspiring actor