Lidl UK GmbH the owner of the Abbey Cinema building have launched a consultation on their plan to demolish the Abbey Cinema and replace it with a superstore.
This was expected, but not welcomed, and is the worst case scenario for the Abbey Cinema building, resulting in the removal of a historic and architecturally significant building and replacement with a building of limited design merit.
In addition to the potential loss to the Conservation Area, is the environmental cost, with new build being responsible for 30% of all carbon emissions contributing to climate change, something that was highlighted by the Car Free day organised by Love Wavertree with the assistance of Liverpool City Council and local Councillors and was described by local blogger Ronnie Hughes as ‘Wavertree High Street’s best ever day’.
We hope, through our campaign, that Lidl will reconsider their stance on demolition, and use their considerable finances to provide an exemplar design, whilst considering the impact that the building has had on the local, national and international community, by combining the best of old and new that Wavertree, Liverpool and the wider community in general, would consider an equal or improvement on the existing.
Or are we to accept another loss of our unique character, to be replaced by a ubiquitous shed.