Post by Kev on Sept 16, 2004 7:57:56 GMT -5
WORK is already getting under way on the first phase of Liverpool's £4.5m Townscape Heritage Initiative.
The ECHO revealed yesterday that the massive rescue package will preserve about 45 derelict buildings in the city centre.
It is hoped that bringing the buildings back into use will create scores of new businesses and hundreds of new jobs.
One of the first to get under way is 80 Seel Street, better known as the home of nightclub Heebiejeebies.
The property is owned by the company behind Liverpool ' s famous Jacaranda pub, and there are plans to turn the 140-year-old building into a restaurant and office complex.
Jane Mills, director of Jacaranda Developments, said: "There are scores of buildings in the city centre which are ideal for development and there is a real ambition among business owners to invest in the city.
"The problem is that, in many cases, the decay and rot has set in and the task of restoration is simply too expensive.
"It is a daunting task ahead of us, but it is one that we are ambitious about. That is why schemes like the Townscape Heritage Initiative are so welcome."
Jacaranda bought the site 18 months ago and plans a restaurant on the ground floor and offices on the upper floors, work is already under way and Ms Mills hopes to have the restaurant open by next summer.
Heebiejeebies will remain in the cellar of the property.
Other developments nearby will provide city centre apartments and art galleries.
Almost £2m of the funding has been awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. National director Carol Souter yesterday toured the city to see how the money will be spent.
"Seel street is an important area of the city centre because it is ripe for development. But because it is part of the World Heritage Site 'buffer zone', whatever takes place here has to be done properly and thoughtfully," she said..
"This money will help support those businesses which have ambitious investment plans but need a small amount of financial support."
Peter Smith, THI project manager for Liverpool council, says the aim is to eventually create a property market in Liverpool where grant aid is not required for any kind of development.
He said: "If the market improves and confidence rises, the schemes will stack up and they won't need grants. This is to start the ball rolling."
Source- Liverpool Echo
The ECHO revealed yesterday that the massive rescue package will preserve about 45 derelict buildings in the city centre.
It is hoped that bringing the buildings back into use will create scores of new businesses and hundreds of new jobs.
One of the first to get under way is 80 Seel Street, better known as the home of nightclub Heebiejeebies.
The property is owned by the company behind Liverpool ' s famous Jacaranda pub, and there are plans to turn the 140-year-old building into a restaurant and office complex.
Jane Mills, director of Jacaranda Developments, said: "There are scores of buildings in the city centre which are ideal for development and there is a real ambition among business owners to invest in the city.
"The problem is that, in many cases, the decay and rot has set in and the task of restoration is simply too expensive.
"It is a daunting task ahead of us, but it is one that we are ambitious about. That is why schemes like the Townscape Heritage Initiative are so welcome."
Jacaranda bought the site 18 months ago and plans a restaurant on the ground floor and offices on the upper floors, work is already under way and Ms Mills hopes to have the restaurant open by next summer.
Heebiejeebies will remain in the cellar of the property.
Other developments nearby will provide city centre apartments and art galleries.
Almost £2m of the funding has been awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. National director Carol Souter yesterday toured the city to see how the money will be spent.
"Seel street is an important area of the city centre because it is ripe for development. But because it is part of the World Heritage Site 'buffer zone', whatever takes place here has to be done properly and thoughtfully," she said..
"This money will help support those businesses which have ambitious investment plans but need a small amount of financial support."
Peter Smith, THI project manager for Liverpool council, says the aim is to eventually create a property market in Liverpool where grant aid is not required for any kind of development.
He said: "If the market improves and confidence rises, the schemes will stack up and they won't need grants. This is to start the ball rolling."
Source- Liverpool Echo
