Last-minute listing saves historic Institute building

Feb 19 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

A “HIGHLY decorative” building with “special historic interest” was granted an 11th-hour reprieve from demolition yesterday.

The Gregson Memorial Institute, whose demolition was due to be discussed today, was given a Grade II listing by the Department for Culture Media and Sport following a site visit by English Heritage two weeks ago.

The decision scuppers plans drawn up by the building’s trustees to redevelop the site and campaigners have called for them to step down.

But the chairman of trustees said he would stay on, while warning the Gregson needs £2m of investment before being habitable.

Councillors deferred a decision on a planning application to clear the site to make way for student flats on February 5.

They were due to visit the Victorian building in Garmoyle Road, Wavertree, today.

English Heritage’s report pointed to its eclectic style, individual design and rich interior decor.

It says the Gregson can boast Old English, Arts & Crafts, and Baroque influences.

The floors are all either mosaic or still have their original floorboards and the main lecture hall has a barrel-vaulted ceiling with curved trusses.

One of the rear rooms is decorated with a tiled peacock frieze and two other rooms have Art Nouveau-style patterned tile friezes.

It was built in 1895 by designer A P Fry who was commissioned by Isabella Gregson.

It is thought Isabella was the granddaughter of Matthew Gregson, who helped develop the Blue Coat School, the Liverpool Library and the Botanic Gardens.

The report says: “The fact the Gregson Memorial Institute was commissioned by a female benefactor is of special historic interest, as this is a highly unusual occurrence at a time when most public benefactors for the arts and sciences were men.”

Isabella intended the Gregson to be a community facility.

It was leased to Liverpool Education Authority in 1917 and was transferred to council ownership in 1933, but was later sold to a charitable trust for a nominal £5.

Wayne Colquohoun, chairman of the Liverpool Preservation Trust, was one of the applicants who asked for the Gregson to be listed.

He told the Daily Post: “We have achieved something – we have stopped a piece of our culture from being destroyed – in 2008 we still have to fight to stop our culture being lost.

“It’s a perfect example of a place that can be used to stimulate local culture. The trustees appear to be washed up completely and now should consider resigning forthwith.”

David Loughney, chairman of the four-strong trustee panel, said he had no intention of stepping down.

He first became involved in looking after the building in 1982, when he needed new premises for his scout troop.

He said: “I’ve spent nearly 40 years of my life trying to get funding for that building.

“I’ve never had a penny from the council or Lottery funding – I’ve got a filing cabinet full of rejected applications.

“It’s one thing to make it listed, it’s another thing to make it habitable.

“If they want it listed then they have got to fix it and that will cost £2m.

“The trustees will be delighted to see the building open.”

benschofield