MEMORIES will this week continue its journey into the history of the Plaza Community Cinema which is celebrating its tenth anniversary.

Last week we detailed the rescue campaign to save the cinema after it was earmarked for demolition and then sold to a developer.

This sparked the formation of the Plaza Community Cinema Charitable Trust and the cinema opened its doors again in July 1997.

Next came the task of raising money for ownership of the cinema.

While trust officials continued to lease the building, screens two and three were reopened within six months and increased revenue and cash flow.

But in September 1999, an ultimatum was given by the landlords – raise £325,000 by January 2000 to buy the building or quit.

Sefton Council earmarked £140,000 towards the project because the trust had proved its worth and it could see the huge value to the area.

Another £185,000 needed to be raised – an amount that wouldn’t be funded by the bank alone, leading trust officials to fear they would lose the building.

However, after an application to the Esmee Fairbairn Charitable Trust, another £66,500 was donated to the cause.

A £60,000 loan was then obtained from Lloyds TSB and a further £60,000 from the Charities Aid Foundation.

The deal to buy the building was completed with two days to spare.

From the start, the community has been involved in the cinema and the cinema support shop, run by unpaid volunteers six days a week, has raised £500,000 since its opening in 1996.

The trustees employed projectionists and voluntary help was given by former chief projectionist Roy Atherton and projectionist Steve Cochrane, all still with the Plaza.

Appeals were then made to refurbish the cinema and joiners, plumbers, electricians, builders and painters came in to help.

Janet Dunn, chairman of trustees, was appointed acting manager to be supported by other board members and further appeals were made for volunteer ushers, kiosk and box office staff.

Initially the cinema had in excess of 100 volunteers and over the years has had a core of 50 to 60.

Janet said: “Without the generosity and community spirit of many people, the Plaza would not be here today.

“People in the industry said we would not last six months, ten years later we are still here.�

A special showing of Narnia was held at the Plaza in 2005

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