Take a step back to 1930’s Britain. Cinema was becoming the new form of mass entertainment, Alfred Hitchcock was beginning to make his name with films such as The Man Who Knew Too Much and The 39 Steps, and all around the country picture houses where springing up to cater for popular demand.

Now, back to reality. Cinema is still as popular and, although maybe not as original as it once was, the creative auteur is still prominent on the big screen, but the way we view film is much different. Britain is ubiquitous with huge multiplex cinemas showing a wide selection of films and genres. These big American cinema chains have done away with tradition and now feed us with Hollywood films that are churned out at the drop of a hat.

During the 1960s, at a time when many of the old style single screen cinemas had already fallen victim to changing public trends and the advent of colour TV, some of Britain’s independent picture houses fought hard and survived.

Woolton Picture house in Liverpool has had to fight more than most to survive. It is the only single screened cinema on Merseyside and is one of a forever dying breed in the country. However, where many of these great architectural cinemas have been turned into bingo halls or bars, the Picture House's loyal following has managed to keep the cinema going, and to keep a part of British tradition.

Mark Price, the cinemas manager, says that
independent picture houses are on a severe decline:

“The future of independent cinemas are most definitely
on the decline. I believe Liverpool started out with
about 180 independent in the city, and out of the
originals that were built there are only ourselves and
the cinema in Crosby left. The Odeon on Allerton road
has recently closed and that was another of a dying
breed of one screened cinemas.”

Woolton Picture House is a cinema gem hidden away
in the heart of picturesque Woolton Village, Liverpool
since the 1920s. Unique in appearance with a
traditional art deco auditorium, this amazing single
screen picture house hosts 256 classic pull-man
armchairs and provides an original, comfortable and cosy environment to unwind and enjoy your film.

A family favourite, the cinema shows all of the latest mainstream releases using the latest in digital theatre sound technology, as well as films for senior audiences and children’s matinees every weekend. So why is it that this breathtaking cinema has threatened to be closed down on many occasions over the last five years?

“In September 2006 it was gloomy times for the cinema; it wasn’t making money and it was almost looked upon as being over in regards to it being a cinema anymore,” said Price.

“Local residents and a variety of people who had visited the cinema over the years campaigned together to save the building and to keep it running as a cinema. The campaigners not only helped to convince the new owners, but also for their sheer love for the place the made it believable that it can be run as a cinema and there are enough people to keep it running.

“Various businesses tried to buy the building in order to change it in to something else, but it was saved by two local business men who wanted to keep it as a cinema for the community. From a business point-of-view we need the cinema to make money which luckily enough it is just managing to do. The owners are quite happy at the moment and they often come along with their families to watch films.

“As a singled screened cinema we are very reliant on blockbuster family films as they tend to make us the money and if the film industry doesn’t release this type of film then it can really affect us, whereas a big multiplex cinema can show many films and draw different types of audiences.

“Over the last few years films like Pirates of the Caribbean, the Shrek films and the Harry Potters have all proved to be big money spinners for us, as you can tell by those type of titles it normally is the blockbuster family films that succeed.”

And now, with the advent of digital technology it is estimated that 300 small independents are facing a financial struggle to convert from 35mm polyester film to digital. This is just another hurdle facing the independent cinema.