Futurist Cinema
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UnclaimedThe Futurist Cinema was a historic city-centre cinema on Lime Street in Liverpool that operated from 1912 until 1982.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The Futurist Cinema was a large and architecturally elaborate cinema on Lime Street in Liverpool, England. It opened on 16 September 1912 as the Lime Street Picture House, at a time when purpose-built cinemas were becoming important forms of urban entertainment. The building was designed as an upmarket picture house, combining a Georgian-style exterior with a French Renaissance-inspired interior. Its entrance foyer used Sicilian marble and a black-and-white tiled floor, while the auditorium was designed to resemble a live theatre and contained extensive plaster decoration. The venue seated more than one thousand people and originally employed a full orchestra to accompany silent films. In 1916 the cinema was renamed the City Picture House, partly to distinguish it from another Liverpool venue using the name Liverpool Picture House. A new company, Futurist (Liverpool) Ltd, acquired the cinema and adjoining shops in 1920. From that period the venue was associated with the Levy Cinema Circuit, which also operated cinemas elsewhere in England. The name Futurist subsequently became the cinema's enduring identity. The transition from silent film to sound came in 1929, when Western Electric talking-film equipment was installed. During the 1930s, increasing competition from newly opened cinemas in Liverpool weakened the venue's market position, and it increasingly showed second-run films rather than relying exclusively on first-run releases. The cinema also played a role in wartime Liverpool. Cinemas initially closed briefly after the outbreak of the Second World War because of concern about large public gatherings during air raids. They soon reopened because films and newsreels were considered useful for public information and civilian morale. The Futurist and the adjacent Scala Cinema were damaged during the Liverpool Blitz in May 1941, but repairs were completed quickly enough for the Futurist to resume screenings by June. The rebuilding altered the appearance of the frontage, including replacement of the original pediment with a simpler classical version. Twentieth Century Fox leased the cinema in 1954 and used it to present CinemaScope widescreen films. In 1960 control passed to the ABC cinema chain, which modernised the venue and reduced its seating capacity. ABC operated the Futurist until its closure in 1982. The closure reflected broader changes in cinema-going, including competition from television and home video, economic recession, unemployment, and a perceived shortage of attractive films. The Futurist and Scala were closed in connection with plans to concentrate cinema activity in a new multiscreen complex based around the Forum. After closure, the building remained without a successful new use and deteriorated substantially. Proposals included converting it into a themed nightclub, but none came to fruition. Its decline made it a prominent example of Liverpool's endangered cinema heritage. The facade was later incorporated into an artwork during the 2010 Liverpool Biennial. In the 2010s, Liverpool City Council pursued redevelopment of the Lime Street area and concluded that the derelict structure was unsafe and beyond economic repair. Preservation campaigners, including local activists, the Merseyside Civic Society, and SAVE Britain's Heritage, challenged the demolition plans and sought to retain at least the facade. The dispute involved competing structural assessments, emergency safety work, and legal proceedings. A court challenge was rejected in August 2016, and the remaining building was demolished by September 2016. The site was subsequently redeveloped as part of a retail, hotel, and student-accommodation complex. The replacement development later received the Carbuncle Cup for Britain's ugliest new building in 2024, according to the reference material.
History
The Futurist Cinema began life as the Lime Street Picture House, opening in Liverpool on 16 September 1912. It was conceived as a prestigious urban cinema rather than a simple screening room. Its Georgian-style exterior led into a richly decorated French Renaissance-inspired interior with Sicilian marble, patterned flooring, a cafe, and a theatre-like auditorium. The venue accommodated more than one thousand people and used a full orchestra for silent-film accompaniment. The cinema was renamed City Picture House in 1916. In 1920, Futurist (Liverpool) Ltd was formed to acquire the cinema and adjoining shops, and the building subsequently became part of the Levy Cinema Circuit. The name Futurist was retained as the venue's principal identity. The cinema adapted to technological change in 1929 with the installation of Western Electric talking-film equipment, ending its silent-film era. Competition intensified during the 1930s as Liverpool gained additional cinemas. The Futurist increasingly relied on second-run programming. During the Second World War, cinemas briefly closed because of concerns about air raids, but reopened after authorities recognised their value for entertainment, newsreels, and public morale. In May 1941 the Futurist and neighbouring Scala Cinema were damaged by bombing. Repairs were carried out quickly, and the Futurist resumed film presentations by June. The postwar rebuilding simplified part of the facade by replacing its original pediment. In 1954 Twentieth Century Fox leased the cinema and brought CinemaScope widescreen films to the venue. In 1960 ABC took over operation, modernised the building, and reduced its seating capacity. ABC continued to run the cinema for the remainder of its commercial life. The Futurist closed in 1982, as cinema attendance and operating economics were affected by television, home video, recession, unemployment, competition from newer cinemas, and an alleged shortage of commercially successful films. The closure was connected with plans to replace the Futurist and Scala with a new multiscreen cinema centred on the Forum. No durable post-cinema use was found. A proposal to convert the building into a 1920s-themed nightclub was made in the mid-1980s, but the scheme did not result in a lasting reopening. The empty structure deteriorated through prolonged neglect and water intrusion. Its facade nevertheless remained a recognisable part of Lime Street and was incorporated into a Liverpool Biennial artwork in 2010. During the redevelopment of Lime Street in the 2010s, Liverpool City Council argued that the building was structurally unsafe and could not realistically be preserved. Reports described corrosion, rotting structural elements, roof-related water damage, internal collapse, leaning walls, and risks associated with parts of the frontage. Heritage organisations and local campaigners disputed aspects of those assessments and argued that at least the facade could be retained. A petition attracted thousands of signatures, and the Merseyside Civic Society and SAVE Britain's Heritage became involved in the preservation effort. The dispute escalated into legal proceedings. Emergency safety works were undertaken in 2016, and the postwar pediment was removed. Campaigners obtained a temporary block against demolition while an appeal was considered, but the legal challenge was rejected in August. By September 2016 the cinema had been completely demolished. Its site was incorporated into a mixed-use development containing retail, hotel, and student accommodation. The Futurist therefore survives as a historical subject and local heritage memory rather than as an operating cinema.
- 2024
Replacement development receives Carbuncle Cup
[1]The mixed-use development replacing the cinema site is reported to have received the Carbuncle Cup.
- 2016
Building demolished after preservation dispute
[1]Following emergency safety work, preservation campaigning, and unsuccessful legal challenges, the remaining cinema structure is demolished.
- 2010
Featured in Liverpool Biennial artwork
[1]The surviving facade is incorporated into an artwork for the Liverpool Biennial.
- 1982
Cinema closes
[1]The Futurist ends commercial cinema operations after decades of pressure from new media and changing local competition.
- 1960
ABC assumes operation
[1]ABC takes control, invests in upgrades, and continues operating the venue until its closure.
- 1954
CinemaScope arrives
[1]Twentieth Century Fox leases the cinema and introduces CinemaScope widescreen screenings in Liverpool.
- 1941
Wartime bomb damage and reopening
[1]Bombing damages the Futurist and adjacent Scala Cinema, but the Futurist is repaired and returns to operation by June.
- 1929
Transition to talking pictures
[1]Western Electric sound equipment is installed, ending the venue's silent-film presentation era.
- 1920
Futurist (Liverpool) Ltd is formed
[1]A new company purchases the cinema and adjoining shops, beginning the period in which the Futurist name becomes established.
- 1916
Renamed City Picture House
[1]The cinema adopts the City Picture House name to distinguish it from another Liverpool picture house.
Products and positioning
Originally positioned as a luxurious, theatre-like city-centre picture house, the Futurist later operated as a mainstream commercial cinema within Liverpool's competitive exhibition market. In its later years and after closure, it became notable primarily as a piece of local architectural and cinema heritage.
Cinema programming · 1912
Silent-film presentations
The Futurist began as a silent-film venue and distinguished itself through live orchestral accompaniment. Its auditorium was designed to create the atmosphere of a legitimate theatre, making film presentation part of a broader, formal entertainment experience.
Cinema programming · 1929
Talking pictures
After the installation of Western Electric talking-film equipment in 1929, the cinema presented sound films and adapted its operation to the next major technological stage in commercial exhibition.
Widescreen cinema · 1954
CinemaScope screenings
During Twentieth Century Fox's lease beginning in 1954, the Futurist showed CinemaScope films. The widescreen format was intended to provide a more expansive spectacle and help cinemas compete with television and other forms of home entertainment.
Cinema programming · 1912
Mainstream and second-run film programmes
The Futurist screened commercial feature films throughout its operating life. As competition increased in Liverpool during the 1930s and later decades, it increasingly showed second-run releases alongside other mainstream programmes.
Marketing campaigns
- 2010Liverpool Biennial facade artwork
Liverpool, England
The surviving Futurist facade was incorporated into a Liverpool Biennial artwork, giving the abandoned cinema a temporary cultural role while it remained part of the city's architectural landscape.
Outcome. The artwork did not preserve the building as an operating venue, but it increased the facade's visibility as a cultural and heritage object.
- 2010Campaign to save the Futurist facade
Liverpool, England
Local campaigners petitioned against the proposed demolition of the derelict cinema and argued that its historic facade should be retained. The preservation effort later involved the Merseyside Civic Society and SAVE Britain's Heritage.
Outcome. Despite public campaigning, competing structural assessments, and court action, the facade was not retained and the building was demolished in 2016.
Brand decisions
2016
Proceed with demolition during Lime Street redevelopmentStrategyBackground
Liverpool City Council and redevelopment partners argued that the long-derelict structure had serious safety and structural problems. Heritage campaigners disputed whether the facade could be saved.
Action taken
Emergency works were undertaken, the postwar pediment was removed, and demolition proceeded after preservation-related legal challenges were rejected.
Aftermath
The cinema was completely demolished by September 2016 and its site was incorporated into a mixed-use retail, hotel, and student-accommodation development.
1982
Close the FuturistStrategyBackground
The venue faced pressure from television, home video, economic conditions, competition from other cinemas, and changes in film supply.
Action taken
ABC closed the Futurist as part of a wider plan to concentrate cinema activity in a newer multiscreen venue associated with the Forum.
Aftermath
The building lost its operating use, could not secure a lasting alternative tenant, and entered a prolonged period of decline before its demolition.
1960
ABC takes over the FuturistM&ABackground
After the CinemaScope period, operational control changed as Liverpool's cinema market continued to consolidate around large exhibition companies.
Action taken
ABC assumed control of the cinema and carried out refurbishment work, including changes that reduced the seating capacity.
Aftermath
ABC operated the Futurist until its closure in 1982.
1954
Introduce CinemaScope screeningsProduct launchBackground
The cinema was operating in an increasingly competitive exhibition market, while widescreen formats were being used to make theatrical filmgoing more distinctive.
Action taken
Twentieth Century Fox leased the venue and presented CinemaScope films there.
Aftermath
The Futurist became one of Liverpool's venues for widescreen presentation during the 1950s.
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