Liverpool’s oldest surviving cinema has been forced to close permanently.
Bosses at the Woolton Picture House took the decision to cease operations due to the ‘devastating and unforeseen’ impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The cinema had been in operation since December 1927 and stayed open even during the Second World War, when the city faced German bombing.
A fire gutted the building in summer 1958 but reopened within three months.
It was temporarily closed in 2006 following the untimely deaths of owner David Wood and chief projectionist David Swindell a short period apart.
A local businessman took over the running of the Picture House in March 2007. Later it was featured in Nowhere Boy, a 2009 biopic of John Lennon.
The worldwide premiere of Bollywood blockbuster Madrasapattinam, which starred Liverpool actress Amy Jackson, was also held at the cinema.
In a statement on its official website, the Picture House’s current operators said: “Woolton Picture House will always hold a sentimental place in all our hearts.
“Many happy moments and wonderful memories have been created at the cinema during the 93 years it has been open; from first dates to couples 100th date, first childhood cinematic experiences, to wedding days and family gatherings at Christmas.
“It has been our sincere delight to have had the pleasure to welcome you all time & again and we whole heartedly thank you for your gracious presence and kind support, that over the years has enabled the cinema to remain open.
“But it is now with great sorrow that we are to close our wonderful red doors.
“We will forever remember and think fondly of a place that allowed us to share time with the Hollywood stars, be absorbed into other worlds and leave reality behind for a short time.
“We will not say goodbye to you or our beloved cinema but instead ‘you had me at hello’.”