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has started for an operator to run St Luke's 'bombed-out' Church in
Liverpool when it reopens at the end of the year following essential
repairs.
It follows a consultation in 2015 which found that the majority of the 6,300
people who responded were supportive of limited development and events
taking place at the site, which was bomb damaged during the blitz in 1941.
In return for a 21 year lease on a peppercorn rent, the successful applicant
will have to demonstrate that they can run a financially viable programme of
events with profits reinvested into the operation, maintenance and
improvement of the site. They will also be required to allow public access
to St Luke's at no charge when events are not being held.
The new operator is expected to take over in December 2016 following
completion of £500,000 of structural work, funded jointly by Historic
England and Liverpool City Council. Crumbling high level stonework is being
replaced and, over the coming months, there will also be repairs to the
tower, lower level stonework and perimeter railings.
Councillor Mark Norris, Mayoral lead for heritage at Liverpool City Council,
said:- "We are absolutely committed to preserving and protecting St
Luke's Church. It is one of Liverpool's crown jewels and is of huge cultural
and historical value to the city.
The huge response to the public consultation demonstrated how much affection
there is for the Church and people gave us a very clear message about the
type of development and events that they wish to see. We now want to
find the right operator that is sensitive to the very special nature of the
site and can come up with an events programme that respects the surroundings
and is consistent with the results of the public consultation."
Interested parties have until 7 March 2016 to confirm their intent to submit an
application, and the deadline for final submissions is 27 May 2016. They can
apply at:-
Liverpool.Gov.UK/BombedOutChurch. |
