On 12th August 2022, Lidl UK announced that they will be retaining and refurbishing the former Abbey Cinema building in Wavertree, instead of demolishing it as originally proposed. A planning application (ref.22F/2152) has been submitted to Liverpool City Council, indicating how a single-storey Lidl supermarket will be incorporated into the ground floor of the Listed Building, and various external and internal features will be restored.

Lidl have no plans to use the upper floors, but a note on the drawings states: "All upper floor accommodation to be mothballed … Existing areas to be preserved and existing envelope made good to ensure that no further deterioration can occur".

These extracts from the submitted Design & Access Statement (by Space Architects, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne) give some idea of the efforts being made to enhance the appearance and character of the building:

"3.3.1 Existing main roof covering to be overclad with new covering to ensure long-term weathertightness.
3.3.2 Existing lower roofs to be stripped, repaired as required and finished with new roof covering.
3.3.3 Existing brickwork piers to be carefully taken down to allow for remedial repairs to structural steel frame, before reinstatement as existing.
3.3.4 Existing brickwork to be fully cleaned, checked and made good, with new pointing to the entirety of the building envelope.
3.3.5 All existing external cast iron rainwater goods to be carefully removed for refurbishment and reinstatement.
3.3.6 Existing non-original windows to be removed and replaced with new steel windows which would follow the intent of the original 1930s fenestration.
3.3.7 Existing rotunda structure to be repaired and made good. External tiling to be retained where possible, or carefully removed and reinstated with like-for-like tiles where structural remediation is required.
3.3.8 Main building canopy over cladding to be removed to reveal original slimline concrete canopy. Repairs to existing canopy and re-roofing to be carried out as required."