Bluecoat reopens days after blaze

May 21 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

Bluecoat

ONE of Liverpool’s most prestigious buildings will reopen this week after fire ripped through a first floor kitchen.

The Bluecoat will reopen on Friday after a blaze threatened to ravage the entire complex just weeks after a £12.5m refurbishment programme.

Firefighters have been praised for their work which prevented a catastrophe.

However, yesterday tenants were allowed back in and Bluecoat chief executive Alistair Upton last night announced the centre will open on Friday to the public.

Mr Upton said: "We are thrilled to be reopening after just 10 days of closure and in time for such a fantastic weekend of events.

"Since the fire on Tuesday morning, staff at the Bluecoat have been pulling out the stops to get the building up and running and open to the public once again.

"Having worked in the midst of a construction site for three years, the Bluecoat’s team are used to working in difficult conditions but I would like to thank them all for their incredible show of team spirit, for their hard work and resilience in challenging circumstances."