Victoria Cinema

In the Anfield district of Liverpool, at the junction of Cherry Avenue and Cherry Lane, the Victoria Cinema opened on 13th December 1923 with “The Ruling Passion” starring George Arliss.

A group of Liverpool businessmen had formed Victoria Super-Cinema (Liverpool) Ltd. in December 1922, with capital of £20,000. Chairman John Henry Liptrott was a general merchant. The cinema was of the stadium-seating type with a rear stepped section rather than a conventional overhanging balcony. The building was completed in November 1923, with the first Cinematograph Licence being granted on 20th November 1923.

Initially attendances were disappointing, although a loss of £1,300 in the first year was improved to a small profit in 1927. By this time added attractions were Jazz Nights on Tuesdays and Fridays and a special musical programme on Saturdays, with an augmented orchestra.

The sound era began on 5th May 1930 with “King of the Khyber Rifles” starring Victor McLaglen and Myrna Loy. A British Thomson Houston(BTH) sound system had been installed.

After being run by a lessee company, Regent Enterprise Ltd, from 1932 to 1938, the cinema was acquired by the Southan Morris circuit, which in turn was absorbed by Essoldo. The following year CinemaScope was installed, starting with “The Robe” on 14th March 1955.

Surviving another eight years, the Victoria Cinema was the last cinema in the district when it closed on 31st August 1963. The final films were “Rob Roy” starring Richard Todd, and Tom Tryon in “Moon Pilot”.

The building was acquired by the Top Flight Leisure group for use as a bingo hall. Bingo was subsequently continued by another company until the early-2000’s, when it became home to a double glazing factory.

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