Ex-cinema shut for 67 years is restored

The Picture Palace was a cinema, music hall and variety theatre before it closed in 1957

A Grade II-listed cinema that closed 67 years ago has been restored.

The front of the former Picture Palace on Kemble Street in Prescot, Merseyside, has been transformed as part of Knowsley Council's regeneration programme for the town.

The building was remodelled into a cinema from two 19th Century townhouses in 1912 and served as a picture-drome, music hall and variety theatre before closing in 1957.

The council wants to raise investment so the building can be used by the public.

The council is now looking for investment to help reopen the building

The windows will now be boarded to protect them from any damage whilst the building is unoccupied.

The renovation work has been jointly funded by the council and Historic England as part of the Prescot Heritage Action Zone project.

The work also involved the removal and replacement of all roof slates and cast iron, windows and shop fronts to reflect how the building originally looked.

The cinema's auditorium seating was placed into storage when it closed in 1957, before the building became a carpet and furniture warehouse.

It has also been a bingo hall and was bought by a church group that left in 2021 when the building was bought by the council.

Councillor Tony Brennan said: "The architectural heritage and cultural history of this iconic building is incomparable, and I am delighted that we have been able to safeguard this building and its heritage for many more years to come."