Former Johnsons HQ sold for £22m housing development

The former HQ of dry cleaning and dye works group Johnsons has been sold, for an undisclosed sum, to create new homes in the heart of north Liverpool’s Bootle.

Developer, Ascot Group, has sold the site to Plus Dane Housing, which is planning to build 104 new homes on the land, comprising a mixture of family homes and apartments in the imnposing converted former headquarters.

The £22m scheme is to be partially funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Homes England. 

The five-acre site, on Mildmay Road, was acquired by Ascot Group in 2017, following extensive remediation of the land from 2007.

It was formerly one of the largest dyeing and dry cleaning operations in the world, placed strategically next to Liverpool docks so that it could clean the huge drapes from the first-class lounges of the city’s transatlantic liners.

An Ascot spokesperson said: “This is a substantial deal for Bootle and Plus Dane’s plans will add real value to the neighbourhood. 

“Over the past few years we have been involved in a number multimillion-pound social housing developments across Cheshire and Merseyside and we’re pleased to have facilitated this latest deal.”

Neil Kelly, at MSB solicitors, advised Ascot Group, with Trowers & Hamlin advising Plus Dane Housing. 

Johnson Brothers began a silk dyeing business in Liverpool in 1817.

Its purpose-built headquarters was opened by Lord Derby in 1910.

The group is now based in Runcorn.