The ABC Cinema is a Grade II listed[1] building located on Lime Street, Liverpool, England. The cinema was once a part of Liverpool's entertainment scene until closing in 1998. Since then, the building has lain empty with plans announced in 2016 for its redevelopment into an £11 million music venue.[2][3]

ABC Cinema
ABC Cinema
Map
General information
Architectural styleArt Deco
LocationLime Street, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Coordinates53°24′22″N 2°58′45″W / 53.4062°N 2.9792°W / 53.4062; -2.9792
Completed1931
Cost£200,000
Technical details
Floor count6
Design and construction
Architect(s)A. E. Shannon
William R. Glen

History edit

Built for ABC Cinemas, the six-story building was designed by William R. Glen and Alfred Ernest Shennan for £200,000 with a maximum capacity of 1,835 people. Originally opened in 1931 as "The Forum", ABC Cinemas renamed it in 1971 to the "ABC Cinema" and later split into three individual screens in 1982.[4] In 1986 the cinema was yet again renamed, becoming "The Cannon" until its closure in 1998.[5] The building has been temporarily reopened for use as an exhibition space for the Liverpool Biennial in 2016.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ Historic England. "ABC Cinema (formerly Forum Cinema) (1208090)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  2. ^ "Forum (Liverpool)". Theatres Trust. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  3. ^ Murphy, Liam (28 August 2016). "These new images show how Liverpool's ABC Cinema could look". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  4. ^ Neild, Larry. "Lime Street ABC cinema to be sold for £1". Liverpool Confidential. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  5. ^ "Cannon Liverpool". Cinema Treasures. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  6. ^ "Revisiting Liverpool". www.biennial.com. Retrieved 2 February 2022.