The campaign to save and restore Woolton Picture House – Liverpool’s oldest surviving cinema – has taken a huge leap forward thanks to a £100,000 donation from local business Crampton Bros (Coopers) Ltd.

The Liverpool-based company has become the first official ‘Picture House Founder’, a title reserved for major contributors to the ‘It Takes a Village to Open a Cinema’ campaign, which is working to raise £700,000 by April 2026 to purchase and refurbish the beloved community landmark.

Built in 1927, Woolton Picture House is the city’s only remaining single-screen cinema. Having been closed since the pandemic, it is now being brought back to life by local cultural leaders Kevin Fearon and Gillian Miller, the team behind Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre, who have formed Woolton Cinema CIC – a not-for-profit, community-led organisation dedicated to preserving the building for future generations.

Kevin Fearon, co-director of Woolton Cinema CIC, says: “This incredible gift from Crampton Bros (Coopers) Ltd has given the campaign real momentum. It’s an amazing act of generosity from a company that truly understands the importance of community, heritage and creativity. Their support helps us move one step closer to reopening Woolton Picture House and returning it to the people of Liverpool where it belongs.”

As a Picture House Founder, Crampton Bros (Coopers) Ltd will receive lasting recognition for their support – including plaques at the cinema entrance and foyer, namechecks in press materials, priority invitations to VIP and community events, and lifetime membership. Their contribution will go directly towards securing the building’s purchase and initial restoration work.

Harry Crampton, managing director of Crampton Bros (Coopers) Ltd, adds: “Woolton Picture House has been part of Liverpool’s story for nearly a century, and it means so much to so many people.

“When we heard about the campaign, we knew we wanted to help make sure this special place isn’t lost. Liverpool’s independent businesses have always supported the city’s cultural life – it’s what makes our community so strong – and we’re proud to play our part in giving this cinema a future.”

Harry originally planned to give £5,000, but while thinking back on his memories of visiting the cinema, he flipped a coin to decide whether to give more and the coin landed on £100,000.

Donations of all sizes are still being encouraged, with every contribution bringing the project closer to completion.

The campaign – which has already inspired support from across the city – aims to restore the cinema as a multi-use cultural venue, hosting everything from film screenings and live music to local theatre, meetings and community events.

To donate or learn more about the campaign, visit www.wooltoncinema.com

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