History from http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/44877 and https://liverpoolpicturepalace.wordpress.com/cinemas/dovecot/ and old photos from https://www.flickr.com/photos/100916196@N04/sets/72157637385166963
An Art Deco cinema from 1932 - 1961 then converted to bingo, closing in 1994. Parts of the building have apparently operated at various times as a community centre, a function room, an indoor golf course and a social club. As the external picture shows, the ground floor is currently occupied by a convenience store and a carpet shop. There is also a more recent shed like extension at the back.
I’ve known about this place for a while - being the biggest thing for miles around its hard to miss -but didn’t know if there was anything worth seeing inside. However after a local told me there was still cinema seating, it seemed at least worth keeping an eye on. The problem was that the access, although rather obvious, was also a bit extreme. So I waited until an easier route came along - an unlocked door - and had a quick wander. It turns out there is little of interest here - the main auditorium has been partitioned and rest is just empty rooms. I only had a pencil torch at the time but when I came back later with a bigger one intending to do some rummaging behind false walls etc. the door was locked again.
Projector room with blocked up holes on the right.
Into the upper part of the original auditorium.
An old photo showing the original cinema.
The current seating and layout, ceiling and decor are obviously completely different, with a vertical partition about 2/3rds of the way down - the black plywood wall in the shot below.
The lower part of original auditorium can be seen through the window in the partition, and is now some sort of activity space.
Proscenium arch, now painted black, just about visible. I didn’t go through this into the back part as there were builders in there.
Finally up to the roof for the views.
The curvy building on the right is the new Alder Hey children’s hospital (the old one is now mostly a large pile of rubble).
An Art Deco cinema from 1932 - 1961 then converted to bingo, closing in 1994. Parts of the building have apparently operated at various times as a community centre, a function room, an indoor golf course and a social club. As the external picture shows, the ground floor is currently occupied by a convenience store and a carpet shop. There is also a more recent shed like extension at the back.
I’ve known about this place for a while - being the biggest thing for miles around its hard to miss -but didn’t know if there was anything worth seeing inside. However after a local told me there was still cinema seating, it seemed at least worth keeping an eye on. The problem was that the access, although rather obvious, was also a bit extreme. So I waited until an easier route came along - an unlocked door - and had a quick wander. It turns out there is little of interest here - the main auditorium has been partitioned and rest is just empty rooms. I only had a pencil torch at the time but when I came back later with a bigger one intending to do some rummaging behind false walls etc. the door was locked again.
Projector room with blocked up holes on the right.
Into the upper part of the original auditorium.
An old photo showing the original cinema.
The current seating and layout, ceiling and decor are obviously completely different, with a vertical partition about 2/3rds of the way down - the black plywood wall in the shot below.
The lower part of original auditorium can be seen through the window in the partition, and is now some sort of activity space.
Proscenium arch, now painted black, just about visible. I didn’t go through this into the back part as there were builders in there.
Finally up to the roof for the views.
The curvy building on the right is the new Alder Hey children’s hospital (the old one is now mostly a large pile of rubble).
