Gaumont Anfield

Gaumont Anfield, originally known as the Gaumont Palace Cinema, was a cinema in the Anfield district of Liverpool, England, built and operated by the Gaumont British Picture Corporation. It opened on 21 December 1931 with a screening of the film Trader Horn, in a 1,600-seat auditorium. The cinema was managed in its early years by Charlie Brown, grandfather of Andy Brown, from 1931 to 1935. It continued to operate as a Gaumont cinema until November 1960, when it closed. The building later fell out of cinema use and was eventually refurbished; it is now occupied by Liverpool Lighthouse, a registered charity and arts and community centre. Liverpool Lighthouse operates a 430-seat auditorium, recording studios, conference and rehearsal rooms, and a café in the former cinema building, and it has brought community cinema back to Anfield. The Gaumont Anfield name is therefore associated with a historic cinema brand that was part of the Gaumont British circuit, and with the adaptive reuse of its building for community purposes in the 21st century.

The Gaumont Palace Cinema in Anfield, Liverpool, was built by the Gaumont British Picture Corporation and opened on 21 December 1931. The opening night was attended by the Lord Mayor and Mayoress of Liverpool, and the first film shown was Trader Horn. The cinema had a seating capacity of 1,600. Charlie Brown, grandfather of Andy Brown, opened and managed the Gaumont from 1931 to 1935. The building operated as a Gaumont cinema until November 1960. Promotional activities were elaborate: the cinema produced promotional sets with costumes and props, and parades through the streets of Anfield were held. The foyer was decorated for the film Cavalcade, based on a play by Noel Coward. Whitestar Line, a transatlantic passenger steamer service, advertised the showing of their promotional film, and local greyhounds, including the star greyhound Mick the Miller, promoted the film Wild Boy. After closing as a cinema in 1960, the building eventually became the home of Liverpool Lighthouse, a registered charity and arts and community centre. Liverpool Lighthouse refurbished the former cinema and now operates a 430-seat auditorium, recording studios, conference and rehearsal rooms, and a café area. The charity states that it is bringing community cinema back to Anfield, continuing the building's cinematic heritage.

• 1960

  The building ceases operation as a Gaumont cinema in November.

• 1931

  Gaumont Palace Cinema opens in Anfield, Liverpool on 21 December with the film Trader Horn.

• 1931

  Charlie Brown begins managing the Gaumont, continuing until 1935.

• The former cinema is refurbished and becomes the home of Liverpool Lighthouse, a registered charity and arts centre.

A historic Gaumont British cinema serving the Anfield community, later repurposed as a community arts venue.

• Cinema screenings

  Film screenings in a 1,600-seat auditorium during the cinema's operation.

• Community cinema (current)

  Liverpool Lighthouse brings community cinema back to Anfield in the former Gaumont building.

1. 1Creative Sanctuary | Community activities | Liverpool Lighthouse | England Liverpoolliverpoollighthouse.com
2. 2History from 1931 | Liverpool Lighthouseliverpoollighthouse.com
3. 3Who We Are | Liverpool Lighthouseliverpoollighthouse.com
4. 4Gaumont Anfield - Wikidatawikidata.org