Born-again Bluecoat gets ready to reopen its doors

Mar 13 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

Liza Williams visits Liverpool’s oldest building after a £12.m refurbishment

THE refurbished Bluecoat will be Liverpool’s most significant cultural development in 2008 according to its chairman, who unveiled the new building yesterday.

The £12.5m exhibition centre, which is expecting 680,000 visitors in its first year, was given the seal of approval by visitors during a preview before the building’s official opening this weekend.

During its three-year closure the city centre’s oldest building has been transformed, with a new modern wing replacing an area flattened in the Blitz providing three extra galleries, performance space and a restaurant.

A secluded garden has been lovingly restored, along with artists’ studios and the old building’s exquisite exterior.

At the preview yesterday, chairman Simon Ryder said the Bluecoat would continue to champion new and unknown artists, in line with the tradition set throughout its history.

He said: “The Bluecoat has always been of Liverpool and from Liverpool.

“What we have achieved here is the most significant cultural development for Liverpool in Capital of Culture Year.”

The marriage between new and old has been made possible by architect Hans van der Heijen and his company biq.

The Dutchman had never worked on a public building before the Bluecoat, specialising in housing.

He said the project was a huge challenge but spoke with pride as he led a trail of spellbound visitors through the building: “We are very pleased. The challenge was to make sure the new extension fitted with the older building.

“We made sure the new echoed the symmetry of the old and used bricks – that is central, the materials are so important.

“The floor plan is based on brick size and so is the concrete.

“It has been a long journey but we had to make sure it was right.”

The venue has already secured several high profile exhibitions and visitors in its opening months.

Its programme includes Yoko Ono’s only UK performance on April 4 and a rare homecoming gig from Clinic as they open their British tour on April 2.

Chief executive Alastair Upton wants the Bluecoat to be open to all, an architectural gem that people in the city will continue to love.

He said: “I had a ride with a taxi driver who said: ‘I see so much building work in Liverpool, but I do not like what I see.’

“I think the Bluecoat is different. You can stand and marvel at it, the new fits with old. It is for everyone.” Staff are now in preparation for the opening event this weekend, including appearances from Jeanette Winterson, author of Oranges are not the Only Fruit, local band of the moment Elle s’appelle and writer and critic Tom Paulin.

Many of the events are free and will run all day on Saturday and Sunday.

For more information log on to www.thebluecoat.org.uk.

lizawilliams@dailypost.co.uk