Liverpool unveils plan for derelict Georgian terrace

LIVERPOOL City Council is proposing to give away a dilapidated Georgian terrace in Dale Street for £1 in a bid to see it restored.

If its cabinet backs the plan it will also hand the Liverpool-based developer, Jamworks, a £275,000 grant which it says is needed to make the project viable.

The 200-year-old shops at 87-95 and 2-6 Cheapside sit opposite the Municipal Buildings and have been empty for up to 12 years. They were listed in 2008.

The council said it will hand them over to Jamworks Ltd when the renovation is completed. The deal mirrors its strategy to sell derelict homes for £1.

Jamworks, which is preparing a £5m conversion of the neighbouring Bridewell building, is to convert the shops into 3,300 sq ft of retail and 12 flats.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “Dale Street Shops are an important historical landmark for the city, but they have steadily deteriorated over the past decade, becoming a real eyesore. It has been a major problem which has been difficult for us to resolve, despite the best efforts of our officers.

“The buildings are in a poor state and we know that developers are often reluctant to invest in listed buildings because of the prohibitive costs of restoring them. Taking such an innovative approach in this case gives us an excellent opportunity to finally bring these buildings back into sustainable use.”

The council said the buildings have a “conservation deficit” or funding gap of £650,000 due to the required restoration works.

Mark Connor, chief executive of project manager Vermont Capitol, said: “This is a scheme which we are passionate about, because we are confident it has the potential to revitalise this part of Dale Street and breathe new life into an important part of Liverpool’s heritage.”