Anelay completes Florence’s £4.8m restoration
SPECIALIST heritage contractor William Anelay has completed a £4.8m restoration of the Florence Institute in the Dingle area of south Liverpool.
The Grade II-listed building was first erected in 1889 as a tribute to Florence Hall, who was the daughter of former Liverpool Mayor Bernard Hall and who died at the age of 22. It was used as a boys’ club until its closure in 1988 and is the oldest surviving building of its kind in the country, although it had recently fallen into major disrepair and had been damaged by arson attacks.
The restoration by York-based William Anelay was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the European Regional Development Fund.
Its work included the repair of external brickwork and terracotta, construction of a new traditional lead-and-slate roof and the reinstatement of architectural features such as a distinctive copper cupola above the entrance.
Internally, the building was reconfigured with extensive repairs to floors and walls and the installation of new mechanical and electrical services.
Anelay’s site manager Gary Shea said: “Arson and vandalism had taken its toll on the building and left it disused and structurally compromised for over two decades.
“There was a strong element of risk given the building’s perilous condition.
“The initial enabling works has paved the way for transforming the building back into a valuable community resource.
The building now contains a gym, library, heritage centre cafe, kitchens, toilets and a number of small business units. The upper floor contains a large function room and a balcony with steps up towards an observatory.
Denise Bernard, chair of The Florence Institute Trust said: “For years, the Florrie became a blight both visually and physically on the landscape for local people and after an arson attack left it considerably damaged it became clear that something had to be done.
“Some people wanted the Florrie to be razed to the ground but thankfully the appetite was there to save her.
“By the spring of 2012 the Florrie will once again be playing a pivotal role in this vibrant and diverse community.”
