Former Lime Street cinema to become media venue of “international standing”

Plans to give the former ABC cinema on Liverpool’s Lime Street a multi-million-pound revamp will create a new media venue of “international standing”, according to the developers behind the scheme.

With work to regenerate Lime Street’s Eastern terrace now underway, developer Neptune is looking to move forward with its ABC project – plans for which could be submitted as early as September.

Discussing the development, Neptune’s managing director, Steve Parry, said: “We couldn’t make progress with a planning application until we were certain work could go ahead on the Eastern terrace.

“But starting work gives confidence to investors that the ABC project is going to form part of a much wider regeneration programme.”

He continued: “We are in advanced discussions with operators and we believe it will be a fantastic venue of international standing and, given where it’s positioned, it will be saying welcome to Liverpool.”

The project, which could cost as much as £11m, will propose converting the Grade II-listed former cinema into a multi-use music and entertainment venue, complete with TV broadcast facilities and bar and restaurant space.

The ABC cinema building occupies a prominent position on the corner of Lime Street and Elliot Street. First opened as the Forum Cinema in 1931, the site closed its doors in 1998.

The work comes as Liverpool City Council prepares to deliver a £45m city centre connectivity programme in a bid to remodel Lime Street, slash bus traffic and expand St George’s plateau.