Today, Liverpool Olympia has announced plans to create cultural and educational opportunities to become a community hub.
The 120 year-old building located on West Derby Road has revealed its commitment to help the community engage in developing arts, equal opportunities, and understand the residents’ needs.
Chris Zorba, Liverpool Olympia managing director, said: “We also see ourselves as custodians of this local asset and want to protect the heritage of the building, as part of this process we will be making a number of applications to funding bodies with the aim of bringing the fabric of the building back to its former glory.”
Frank Matcham, the British architect responsible for over 90 playhouses across the country, opened it in 1905.
Originally, it served as an indoor circus and variety theatre for up to 4000 people across three balconies.
In the basement, large animals such as lions and elephants used to be kept and lifted onto the stage during performances.
Huge aquatic shows were staged in a tank below stage level, which held more than 360,000 litres of water.
The venue has hosted legends such as Harry Houdini, The Beatles, and Little Richard. More recently, it has seen performers such as Robert Plant, Paul Weller and Liverpool’s Elvis Costello, and earlier this month, Robbie Williams in a sell-out show.
The venue’s history has served various purposes, reflecting the needs of the community. This includes a cinema for the talkies, a wartime Royal Naval depot, a foxtrot and jive dance hall, and a Mecca Bingo hall.
Alan Smith, Head of Heritage Preservation and Development at Liverpool City Council, said: “The building is the new gateway to the city’s ‘town within a town’ restoration plans that extend from Everton to Bootle and can once again play a leading role in our musical repertoire.”
Liverpool Olympia has become a Community Interest Company (CIC). CICs are different to charities as they are fast-paced, trading-focused social enterprises that are regulated by Companies House.
