Table of Contents
Woodside Drive-In Cinema is sadly going to leave its waterfront location by March 2027 and look for a new home elsewhere.
As reported by the BBC, Co-owners Karen Hall and Kevin Wood said they were "gutted" when they learned they would have to vacate the site, which is owned by Merseytravel.
The cinema will remain open for its popular Halloween and Christmas seasons, but they haven't yet secured a new home. Hall and Wood are looking for a new local location, but are willing to move if needed.
The attraction became a temporary fixture in the summer of 2018, but has become a lasting one following its popularity on the Wirral.
"We certainly weren't expecting to stay open more than a few months over the summer," Hall told the news broadcasting service. "It was just a lot more popular than we thought it was going to be."
The cinema's first screening ever was Grease, chosen partly because of the film's famous drive-in scene, but it actually went wrong. "It was almost like everything that could go wrong went wrong. The sound went wrong and then the popcorn," Hall recalled.
Customers at the Woodside Cinema watch the films from their cars, and have the soundtrack playing through car radios, so families can choose how loud the sound is. This is partly why the cinema is so popular, as it provides access to those who find normal cinema experiences difficult.
Screenings now typically attract about 50 cars, rising to the venue's 75-car capacity during October, November and December. The cinema also holds an annual free screening of The Greatest Showman where families bring tents, chairs and BBQs. Screenings are also available to those on foot.
As well as being popular with film buffs, the business has also hosted three engagements and two weddings, facilitated by the staff.
"We've built up good relationships with our customers over the years. It has been really fun," Hall said.
Originally, the cinema had a three-year lease at the waterfront location, continuing on a rolling basis. However, the two have surrendered the lease, allegedly due to Merseytravel wanting the land back. They recalled they "didn't really have a choice" over the land return, but also added Merseytravel had been "good to them". Each year, they paid very low rent payments - £1 to keep the agreement legal, known as a 'peppercorn rent'.
Customers have shown support for the business, expressing how "devastated" they are. However, the cinema is still looking into other locations, and their two members of staff are reportedly looking to move with them.
Hall expressed confidence that the cinema would find a new home.
Of the business, she said: "I can't see it being something people want to leave for good. But it just depends where... or if there's anything available for us."
