ONE of Liverpool’s most prominent streets should be designated as a special conservation area, according to an influential city society.
Merseyside Civic Society has called on Liverpool Council to designate Renshaw Street and some surrounding streets.
The society is concerned that, following the relocation of Rapid Hardware to the former George Henry Lee building, in Williamson Square, the “architectural unity of this fine Liverpool street” will be destroyed.
Dr Peter Brown, chairman of the Merseyside Civic Society, said: “Its designation as a Conservation Area would mean that, in future, special care must be given as far as future development is concerned. New buildings and alterations to those existing must fit in with the existing character.
“Renshaw Street itself is a unique example of a Liverpool street built in the city scale.
“The vacated buildings on the south side display a rare architectural unity and the Bold Street corner building, with its distinctive dome, is particularly important since it marks one of the main portals to the city centre.”
Grosvenor, the owners of shopping centre Liverpool One, bought the former Rapid site in August.
Guy Butler, development director, said the company hoped to come forward with plans for the site in the New Year.
He said:“We are seeking to make Renshaw Street active and viable, and viability comes from activity. If that means keeping the buildings as they are, we will do that.”
He said the company was looking at whether to keep the buildings as they are, or whether a “hybrid” involving new build was required.
