Local councillor Carl Cashman said he had received reports of people living in the former Abbey Cinema building in Wavertree
Concerns have been raised after reports that people had been seen squatting in a former city cinema building. Councillor Carl Cashman, who represents Church ward on the city council, said he had been made aware that people have been squatting in the former Abbey Cinema building in Church Road North in the Wavertree area of the city.
Cllr Cashman said the issue has been reported to him by local residents and he has asked the council to deal with it and offer support to those who are currently living in the building.
The city’s Liberal Democrat leader told the ECHO: “I have been speaking to the council about squatters in the old Abbey Cinema after residents around Church Road North reported it to me. I have been asking the council to deal with the issue and to also get them the help and support they need.”
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Cllr Cashman said he wants to see something happen with the building, which has been the subject of a number of recent plans. He added: “As both the local Councillor and a local resident I agree with my neighbours that something needs to be done with the old abbey. I see it every time I open my bedroom curtains and it really does nothing for our local area as it stands. I have held meetings in the past with Lidl and the council and it’s been difficult trying to knock heads together.”
The striking art deco building functioned as a cinema for forty years and was a childhood favourite of both John Lennon and George Harrison. It was later used as a bingo hall and snooker hall.
Since its closure as an entertainment venue, several supermarket chains have used the premises. Lidl bought the building from Co-op in 2020 and planned to demolish it to build a new 18,000 sq ft store at the site, creating 30 new jobs.
However a campaign to save the building from being demolished was launched and the cinema was saved in 2021 after gaining Grade II-listed status. After its plans were scuppered, Lidl withdrew its initial proposal and returned with a new design in August 2022. Mason Partners has been marketing the site for sale since April 2023 and it remains on the market. Liverpool Council said the building’s owners have a duty of care for the site. Lidl was contacted for a response.
