THE final curtain came down on Liverpool's oldest surviving cinema as it screened its last film yesterday.
The Woolton Cinema has been facing an uncertain future since the unexpected death of its owner, David Wood, at the age of 59 in June.
His widow, Fleur, decided she was unable to run it, and the picture house closed its doors for the final time last night after a showing of Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest.
It was decided not to do anything out of the ordinary to mark the occasion of the Woolton cinema's closing last night, after 78 years.
Around 185 people, including around 20 staff watched the film, from 7.30pm.
Dedicated staff have been determined to keep the cinema going, not least projectionist David Parr, after Mr Wood was taken ill in April .
Manageress Judy Ball dusted off a 1950s-style snacks tray, and sold off the cinema's remaining ice-creams during the interval - a much-cherished tradition among regulars.
Afterwards she said: "We wanted to mark the occasion, but we also didn't want to go too over the top.
"We are closing because someone died, so we wanted to keep an atmosphere of respect.
"It was a sad night for the staff, and some of the customers were sad, but they were trying to stay optimistic because we all hope this won't be the final ending.''
