Bluecoat Arts Centre chief: We will soon be back

May 14 2008 Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

THE iconic Bluecoat arts centre will rise again, management has vowed after fire threatened to destroy Liverpool’s oldest building.

Only a brand new automatic fire alarm that was tested hours before flames took hold prevented a disaster, The Daily Post can reveal.

Alastair Upton, chief executive of Bluecoat, said: “The system was turned on before the opening in March and raised the alarm. It’s been operating very well since and we were just testing it on Monday.”

just yesterday (Monday).

He heaped praise on the fire service for limiting the damage to the west wing’s kitchen where the fire broke out. As a result, the Bluecoat will be able to reopen shortly.

Mr Upton said: “We will be back and we will be back soon.

“The team of staff have done a fantastic job today and have even continued to hang exhibits for the next exhibition which is up next.

“Our programme of outreach work will go on and we’re working hard to make sure our tenants are back as soon as possible. We will rise from this, yes.”

Mr Upton’s buoyant assessment comments came after a painful day spent assessing the damage of the fire that gutted a first-floor kitchen in the west wing early yesterday. Offices below were badly water-damaged and smoke damaged the adjoining restaurant.

The blaze hit one of the undoubted success stories in Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture year.

Just two months ago the Bluecoat, in School Lane, reopened its doors following a £12.5m redevelopment.

Since then, the renovation work has earned countless praise and the project has been nominated for RIBA awards.

The fire took hold at 4am yesterday when two floors became engulfed in smoke and windows were smashed in the scorching heat.

More than 30 firefighters from Low Hill, Toxteth, City Centre and Kirkdale stations arrived within minutes of the alarm being raised.

Fire service spokesman Peter Owens said: “The work done was stunning.Even when we’ve arrived at the scene of a fire within three or four minutes the damage can be quite extensive. But on this occasion, the intervention in difficult conditions, made more complex by the age and structure of the building, prevented a bad situation turning into a disaster rous situation.

“This is one of the most important buildings in the city and the crews deserve a great deal of praise for what they did.”

But despite the upbeat mood expressed by Mr Upton and Owens, the impact is already being felt on the arts programme.

Last night’s Poetry Pool Launch was moved to BBC Radio Merseyside’s performance space while tonight’s music performance, Port in Every Storm featuring Evan Parker, has been cancelled.

Worse still, the Bluecoat has had to cancel its plans to celebrate the return of its resident artists, designer-makers and creative businesses this weekend.

Open Studios at The Bluecoat was intended to allow visitors to enjoy a showcase of Liverpool’s best creative talent, see artists at work and find out about the creative process. The event has now been postponed to an unspecified date.

The gloom surrounding this news was reflected by Liverpool council leader Cllr Warren Bradley, a Toxteth firefighter who was not on duty yesterday, said: “Alistair Upton and the trustees have worked so hard and to see this happened is just so sad. “Having seen it open less than eight weeks ago, it’s awful to see.”

The Culture Company also recognises there will be a knock-on effect on the Liverpool art’s scene in the middle of its crucial year.

Fiona Gasper, executive producer, said: “Everyone at the Culture Company was saddened to hear about the fire at the Bluecoat.

“It’s particularly frustrating, given the amount of work that has been done to transform the building over the last couple of years – and the fantastic response it has received since its reopening in March.

“I know the team will be working hard to get things back to normal as soon as possible.”

Today, insurers and fire investigators will try and establish the cause of will continue to interview staff and get to the route cause of the fire. But at the moment, there is no indication that there is anything suspicious about the blaze.