Supermarket chain Lidl has responded after a Wavertree woman launched a community campaign to save the landmark Abbey Cinema. Lydia Jane Alice, a local A-level history teacher, said she felt compelled to act after waking one Friday morning with the cinema on her mind.
The 30-year-old, who passes the building daily on her way to work, decided to investigate what could be done to give it a future. She told the ECHO: “I woke up recently with this gut feeling that I had to do something for our local cinema. I’ve always felt that it could be a real asset to the community.”
Historic Art Deco Building
The Abbey Cinema, in Wavertree Village, opened in 1939 and was designed by renowned architect Sir Alfred Ernest Shennan, who also served as a leader of Liverpool City Council. The Art Deco building became part of the local community and has a particular connection to Liverpool’s musical heritage.
John Lennon and George Harrison, who both lived nearby, are known to have visited the cinema as teenagers. The Abbey also features in Beatles history, appearing in the personal writings of members of the band and in the original lyrics of their 1966 song In My Life.
After closing as a cinema in 1979, the building was subsequently used as a bingo hall and snooker club before becoming a Co-op supermarket. The supermarket closed in 2020, leaving the building without a long-term use.
Campaign Against Demolition
The future of the Abbey had already been the subject of controversy after Lidl acquired the site and proposed demolishing the cinema to make way for a new store. A local campaign helped prevent the proposed demolition, with Historic England subsequently recognising the building’s architectural and historical importance and awarding it Grade II listed status.
However, six years on, Lydia says there is still uncertainty about what will happen to the site. In response to her effort, a spokesperson from Lidl told the ECHO: “We understand the historical significance of the Wavertree site and remain committed to securing a long-term future for the location and the local community.”
Lidl's Commitment
The spokesperson added: “We are actively working to explore all avenues and engage with local stakeholders to find a clear, viable solution for the property. We would like to thank the public for their continued support and passion for the site's heritage, and we look forward to sharing further updates as soon as formal progress is made.”
Lidl said the site remains secure and subject to regular monitoring and maintenance as it continues to be actively marketed for sale. When Lidl acquired the building in May 2020, the company said that subsequent specialist surveys revealed significant, structural degradation throughout the main frame, which has made any conversion of the listed building economically unviable.
Community Vision
For Lydia, the concern is not simply about preserving an old building for the sake of it. She believes the Abbey could once again become an important community space, although she does not necessarily think it has to return to its original use as a cinema.
Instead, she imagines a vibrant destination for local people, particularly the youth, incorporating independent businesses, food and entertainment. Lydia said: “I feel like there is a yearning for community again. With the social media ban, it would be lovely to have it as a hub for young people and a local entertainment space. It doesn’t have to be a cinema, just a cool hangout place, maybe with independent businesses and a food hall.”
Lydia moved to Wavertree with her husband in January 2020. She remembers visiting the building when it was still operating as a Co-op and says she was “fascinated” with it back then. She added: “Nothing has happened in those six years. As it sits at the heart of Wavertree Village, it could become a real asset, not only for local residents but for the city as a whole.”
