Woolton Picture House saved by surprise donation ensuring a new future for the historic site

In a dramatic, last-minute twist worthy of the silver screen, Woolton Picture House has officially been saved.

After months of tireless fundraising and a race against time, the campaign has officially surpassed its £450,000 target and raised a total of £532,884 from public donations since October.

As they were celebrating their success, an extraordinary, anonymous donation arrived just as the clock was about to run out.

What began as a determined local effort to save Liverpool’s oldest surviving cinema has now become a landmark moment of community achievement.

Since October, funds have been raised through a packed programme of seasonal screenings including Christmas classics, Valentine’s specials, family film showings and creative brand collaborations with partners such as Dereks, alongside hundreds of individual donations from the public.

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In a dramatic eleventh-hour development, the campaign has now received a transformative anonymous donation.

The mystery benefactor has stepped in to purchase Woolton Picture House outright and has given the building to Woolton Cinema CIC on a 100-year lease at a “peppercorn rent” arrangement that will run until the cinema’s 200th anniversary.

The unprecedented intervention ensures the long-term future of the venue as a community asset, while allowing all funds raised by the public to be released in full for the building’s refurbishment.

Rather than concluding the campaign in uncertainty, the final chapter has delivered a result few dared to imagine – a moment that has shifted the story from “will they, won’t they” to an emphatic and emotional success.

The journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable.

From sell-out screenings and grassroots events to countless volunteer hours and in-kind support from local businesses, the campaign has captured the imagination – and hearts – of the Woolton community and beyond.

What began as a mission to save a historic building has evolved into a powerful demonstration of collective action and belief in the value of shared cultural spaces.

Kevin Fearon, one of the driving forces behind the campaign, said:

“We always believed in this project, but to see it come together in this way – right at the very last moment – is something truly special.”

“The support we’ve had has been overwhelming.”

“People haven’t just donated money; they’ve given their time, their skills, and their passion.”

“This building means so much to so many, and today proves just how powerful a community can be when it comes together behind something it loves.”

With the purchase now secured, attention turns to the next chapter: bringing Woolton Picture House back to life.

Plans are already underway to begin refurbishment, with the funds raised by the community set to play a vital role in restoring the cinema and expanding its offer into a multi-purpose space for film, live events and community activity.

The campaign team has extended heartfelt thanks to everyone who played a part in saving the cinema – from donors and volunteers to local partners and supporters who championed the cause at every stage.

What once felt uncertain is now a story of triumph – a cinematic ending for one chapter, and the beginning of an exciting new era for Liverpool’s oldest surviving cinema.

Find out more on the Woolton Picture House website. 

Read more about the community cinema’s fundraising campaign on our website. 

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