Six vacant buildings in Liverpool could be set for community revamp

The fate of six vacant properties, including a historic Victorian chapel, could soon be decided as Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet meets next week to discuss.

A new report recommends transferring the buildings—all currently Council-owned—to charities and community groups to transform them into vibrant community hubs as part of the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) programme.

It means that, subject to an approved, fully-costed business plan, qualifying groups will be able to take control of the buildings to deliver a range of community-based projects.

The recommended premises for phase two of the CAT programme are:

Anfield Cemetery Chapel
Garston Urban Village Hall
Knotty Ash Community Centre
Joseph Gibbons Day Centre, Sefton Park
St Brendan’s Church/Shrine, Old Swan
Former Lodge Lane Library

Liverpool’s CAT programme was launched in 2022 and introduced the idea of exchanging ‘social value’ for monetary value which can be used to offset the cost of Council-owned assets.

Voluntary and community organisations, social enterprises and other not-for-profits can apply to take on ownership of any of the properties under the programme on either a long-term or short-term basis.

The group’s business plan will then be evaluated to ensure that they offer significant social, community or environmental benefits to Liverpool residents. If the plans qualify, the Council will transfer ownership of the premises for less than its market value.

Liverpool Skyline. Credit: Liverpool City Council

Not only will the successful groups then by able to use the premises as a hub to work from, but they can also use the commercial market value of the land to support any bids for funding or loans.

Phase one of the CAT programme offered a number of premises to interested groups, including land on Mulgrave Street, Rosebery Street, Adlam Park Sports Pavilion, and Speke Adventure Playground Centre. Talks are currently taking place between the Council and community-based organisations to secure new uses for the sites.

All premises have been chosen to ensure that there is a variety of land and properties up for consideration across the North and South of the city.

Councillor Nick Small, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy, said:

“Since the start of our Community Asset Transfer programme, we’ve had a lot of interest from community groups and heard about some fantastic future projects.

“These new premises would allow us to support even more local groups, who, in turn, are making a huge difference in their neighbourhoods. Each building proposed for the second phase has so much potential but is currently sat empty and unused.

“By offering them to interested groups within the community, the Council will be able to save on unnecessary maintenance costs and provide charities and organisations with a space they may otherwise be unable to afford.

“The efforts of our third-party sector are essential in supporting the city’s most vulnerable residents and giving a voice to those in need. Community transfers are a way for us to support the vital work that goes on every single day.”