This building in Liverpool's Lime Street was the Futurist Cinema, opened in 1912 and closed in 1982. It's been empty ever since.
It was a very upmarket city centre cinema, with a luxurious cafe. The auditorium was designed to have the effect of a live theatre with seating for over 1000 people. It also had a full orchestra to accompany the silent films.
It's been the subject of a rather prolonged debate which came to an abrupt end yesterday when the courts decided that it could be demolished. It's in such a terrible state of repair, the cost of renovation would be too great. A great shame.
I wanted to get a photo of it before it disappeared, the demolition team were already working on it this morning, you can see one of them in the window.
I'd just taken this photo when a man starting talking to me. He told me that during the second world war, he and his pals would join the queue outside the cinema along with all the American soldiers taking local girls out on a date. The rules were that children had to be accompanied by an adult so they would pester the soldiers to take them in. He said they were very generous, not only did they pay for their tickets to go in, they would buy them ice creams and sweets too. When they were inside the girls were desperate to get rid of them so they could get to know their dates a little better but the kids always sat tight, knowing there would be ice cream in the interval!
It was great to listen to his story, so glad I stopped for a photo and glad he stopped to talk.
I was going to say that there would be few people who remembered this lovely building and the pleasures it gave but then there was the man who talked to you!
What a crying shame to loose this building and well done for trying to get some photographs before it is gone forever. Wasn't there a TV programme once (not sure if it is still going) where the general public vote to save a building in total disrepair. This would surely be a candidate? In the meantime find out who is responsible for it and ask if you can photograph inside. You might need to be accompanied because of H&S. If there is a chance for other photographers to do the same, please email me back on maddypennock@aol.com. I would love to have that opportunity!
@marshwader Sadly, it's too late. The campaign was run by Save Britain's Heritage but when they lost the legal battle with the city council on Monday, the demolition team were there before the group had chance to appeal. I've seen photos of the interior, it was in a pretty poor state but the facade was structurally sound and could have been integrated into the redevelopment. I'm all for saving our heritage but opinion is really divided, lots of people want the city to have a more modern look, I just hope it doesn't go too far that way.
August 5th, 2016
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