A new community cinema is opening in Anfield.
Liverpool Lighthouse has undergone a major refurbishment in order to reopen as a community cinema.
Hopes of reopening the historic venue were announced last year, with a fundraiser set up to help with costs.
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It was announced back in June that the £25,000 goal had been met, thanks to generous donations from various sources including Liverpool City Council's Mayoral Fund and The National Lottery Awards.
The building has been transformed into a state of the art cinema experience, but with a large effort to preseve the history of the venue.
While the restoration of the Lighthouse has seen a 10 metre Cine Pro electrical screen be installed, the traditional cinema aspects of the building have been kept.
The historical box office remains in place having been restored, as well as candy floss trollies, popcorn machines, and the exterior of the venue is now home to a retro-style 'now showing' sign.
Liverpool Lighthouse was once a Gaumont Cinema, founded by the late Charlie Brown.
Andy Brown, Charlie's grandson, has been involved in the process of the refurbishment, and has spoke of how his grandfather would be overjoyed at the news of the restoration of the cinema.
He said: " You are doing what Charlie Brown did back then, the cinema was more than the experience of seeing films, it was supporting the community, going out into the community and bringing entertainment to the community of Anfield. He would have been very proud to know that his legacy is still living on.”
The local community in north Liverpool have also expressed their excitement at the new community cinema opening, with the older generation especially supportive of the project.
Rebecca Ross-Williams, the new creative director of Liverpool Lighthouse, said: “ We are so fortunate that our venue can once again bring the joy of film to our local communities through a community cinema at Liverpool Lighthouse.
"It provides an opportunity for local people of all ages and backgrounds to come together in shared experiences which aim to promote happiness – which let’s face it’s much needed. Just to think 90 years later the doors are opening for cinema again!”
Liverpool Lighthouse is a community hub offering recording studios, workshop rooms, a cafe, and a seated auditorium, where locals can take part in activities and events.
It is hoped that through restoring the cinema at the venue it will enable entertainment to become more accessible in the area, as people will no longer need to travel to the city centre or pay high prices to access cinemas.
The project will also enable the creation of more jobs in the area, alongside various volunteering opportunities for people to get involved with.
Liverpool Lighthouse Cinema will begin screenings later this year. For further information, click here
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