?? Huge chunk of city centre going up for sale

By Katie Westwood

Hello,

In today's edition of the Liverpool Daily Post, Regeneration Reporter and Daily Post Editor Dan Haygarth (who is taking a break from Post editorial duties for a couple of days) looks at the sale of Merseyside Police's former headquarters in Canning Place, which officially went on the market today. This afternoon, the ECHO will be interviewing Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell about likely plans for the site, which has been described by police chiefs as "the best regeneration opportunity in the entire country".

Over the weekend, Local Democracy Reporter Elliot Jessett had a whale of a time in Bootle watching musical legend and renowned sex bomb Sir Tom Jones perform at Salt and Tar, the area's new 3,000-capacity event space. Bringing in a bone fide megastar to perform two shows was a real coup for the venue, which is backed by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and delivered by Sefton Council as part of its new regeneration programme for Bootle town centre.

Elsewhere, ECHO reporter Jamie Greer went to Penny Lane to investigate the long-running saga over the fate of the former Sergeant Pepper's Bistro site. The bistro closed its doors in 2003 and has stood empty ever since, despite planning permission being granted by Liverpool City Council in 2013 for the site to be used as a bar or restaurant.

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Huge chunk of the city centre going up for sale

Merseyside Police's former headquarters is up for sale. Canning Place was the force's base for more than 40 years but it began the process of relocating to its new site just off St Anne Street in October 2021, before it opened officially in March 2022.

The former city centre base is a 2.64-acre site and is found opposite the waterfront, facing the Albert Dock, next to Paradise Street bus station and Liverpool ONE. The site has gone onto the market today and its sale is part of Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Emily Spurrell's 12-year plan to modernise Merseyside Police’s stations and buildings.

Ms Spurrell has appointed the consultancy and construction firm Mace Consult Ltd and commercial property estate agents Colliers, to assist with the marketing and disposal of the site. Earlier this year, as part of the two-stage process of putting the site on the market, a public consultation was held to find out how the public and local stakeholders would like the land to be developed.

The results of that consultation have been used to shape the production of a Planning and Development brief which is being used to advertise the site and guide potential bidders. The PCC said: “Our iconic waterfront boasting the Three Graces and the Royal Albert Dock and Kings Dock is known and loved by people across the region, the country and indeed the world. Canning Place occupies a prime location along that skyline, so the sale of this key site provides a unique opportunity to create something special.

“We want this pivotal plot of land to be used for a bold, ambitious, high-quality development which will enhance the city’s vibrant spirit, attract visitors and businesses, and benefit local people. Moving Merseyside Police’s headquarters from Canning Place to Rose Hill is already saving the organisation approximately ￡550,000 each year – money which we are investing in the frontline.

“By selling this landmark site, we will generate money which will be used to continue to transform the police estate, making sure our stations are fit to serve our officers and staff, so they are fit to fight crime now and into the future.” Since the conclusion of its use as the force's headquarters, Canning Place has been used to house various police teams. Refurbishments to other stations have taken place and has been a base for significant policing operations, including Eurovision.

The site encompasses the former seven floor station which is more than 135,000 square feet, an annex, car park and a gatehouse. Now the site has been fully decommissioned, the Police and Crime Commissioner is inviting bids from developers.? Read more

A Sexbomb arrives in Bootle as Tom Jones powers through his greatest hits

A 'Sexbomb' exploded last night as Sir Tom Jones brought his superstar status and his endless greatest hits catalogue to Bootle town centre. After a career spanning 60 years and sold-out performances worldwide, the Welsh 'Tiger' arrived in Bootle on sensational form and left the stage to rapturous applause.

According to some records, Tom Jones first performed in Liverpool at the Empire Theatre in 1967 while the oldest photographic evidence captured his show at the same venue in 1987. Regardless of the date, few could have imagined Tom still shaking his hips and belting out hits at 84 years old. Perhaps even more surreal is the location of this performance which was in Bootle's new venue on Washington Parade.

Salt and Tar is the new 3,000-capacity multi-use event space launched earlier this year by chart-topping local band, Red Rum Club. It has been backed by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and delivered by Sefton Council as part of its new regeneration programme for Bootle town centre. It was a huge booking for Salt and Tar and we can confirm Sir Tom Jones came, sang and conquered Bootle. Whipping up the audience with a stacked setlist of his greatest hits the Welsh singer was truly sublime, his voice was as powerful and emotive as it ever was and now with a ripened timbre.

Sir Tom came onto the stage at Salt and Tar to hysterical cheers and applause with audience members barely able to believe what they were seeing. I know how they felt. As if to pull the wool over our eyes and misdirect us, Tom's first song was I'm Growing Old which was sombrely delivered and respectfully received. But then the beat kicked in for Not Dark Yet and Tom broke out into a big smile and shouted "LIVERPOOL!" and then he was off strutting his stuff across the stage.

After this Sir Tom made some time to pay homage to Liverpool's musical history and his friendships with comedian Jimmy Tarbuck and singer Cilla Black. What followed was a steady stream of solid gold hits including It's Not Unusual, What's New Pussycat, Sexbomb and Green Green Grass of Home which were all accompanied by the audience singing along to every word.

"It's ok", Tom reassured the audience, "I invite you to sing along to every song". There were also some fascinating introductions to the songs as the legendary crooner told stories about his career and how he came to create his back catalogue.

These stories ranged from his love of Bob Dylan, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Burt Bacharach and Willy Nelson. There was also a nod to his involvement with the Full Monty film as he prepared to sing You Can Leave Your Hat On. The show was a 90-minute masterclass in popular music spanning the decades and the generations.

Indeed, the audience was made up of people of all ages and is a testament to Sir Tom's talent, his work ethic and his enduring legacy. As he wrapped up the set with a four-song encore, he sang out into the Bootle sky an emotional rendition of One Hell of a Life - he certainly has. For Bootle, Sefton Council and everyone involved with this event at Salt and Tar, this weekend's events have been a huge success.

This venue is one of the high-profile first phases of the regeneration of Bootle town centre and it has people really excited for what's coming next.? Read more

'Disgrace' that café in the middle of world famous road has sat empty for decades

As you approach the huge junction that connects Smithdown Road, Penny Lane, Church Road and Allerton Road, the old Sergeant Pepper's Bistro site sticks out like a sore thumb.

The circular building in Mossley Hill has seen better days but is a crucial part of Liverpool’s past and present. It was originally a tram stop and inspectors’ office, with public toilets added to the back of the building.

It's also been a bus shelter where John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison would meet during their time at school. Then it was made famous when McCartney wrote in Penny Lane about “the shelter in the middle of the roundabout”.

The building later reopened as a café and restaurant, decorated with Beatles photographs, posters and Fab Four memorabilia. But the Sgt Peppers Bistro closed its doors in 2003 and since then has sat empty. Raad Maatook, who has owned the building since 1989, said in 2022 that he had invested hundreds of thousands into reopening the building but claimed the nature of the area was harming his efforts.

He said: "There are too many apartments in the area and not enough retail. The retail parks on Edge Lane and in Speke have hurt the area. There are just not enough big name brands and outlets around here. And that has made it harder for me.

But I do hope to find the right tenant soon." When the ECHO visited the area this week, paint was smudged onto the ground-floor windows which obscured the view inside. A banner showing support for the Save Calderstones Park campaign hangs from one of the top windows.

In the Penny Lane wine bar, Tony Hannah, 67, was sipping a pint. He’s lived in the area for 20 years and believed re-opening the building would be a much-needed boost for the area. Pointing at the Magical Mystery Tour Bus going past, he said: “It’s a very busy road. But there’s not actually that much to do on Penny Lane.

You go to the sign and that’s it.” While Tony remembered what the building used to be, for others it's been lost to time. Nick Gass, 30, from Hunts Cross, said: “I’ve lived here for 12 years. The only thing I’ve seen in it is a ladder. I’ve got no idea what it was before.”

Nick argued it would do well as a restaurant, café or some sort of Beatles memorabilia site. Planning permission was granted by Liverpool City Council in 2013 for it to be used as a bar or restaurant with a new first floor extension, but this never materialised.

The building was repainted in 2021. Daniel Smith, 38, who also lives in the area, is furious about the state of the building. He said: “I remember when it was the old bistro when I was a child. It seems like a disgrace for a local landmark to be left to rack and ruin.

It needs occupying as soon as possible in my opinion. “With the established restaurants, this area is a place where people come to eat and drink. Re-opening that building could be a boost to the local economy. It’s just a waste with something so iconic.

The sooner the better for it to get refurbished.” Other residents expressed scepticism that a restaurant would work, with many citing its awkward location wedged between three roads on a busy junction. One local resident, who did not wish to be named, suggested it could be turned into a youth club given the number of bars and restaurants already in the area.

Mr Maatook has insisted he is looking for the right business to occupy the building, previously stating he has turned down other proposals that wouldn’t have been right, such as a group wanting to turn to use it as a shisha bar and kebab house.

He added: "I've talked to a lot of franchises in the past and I gave up. I'm now looking for established companies. I swear I haven't ignored Sergeant Pepper's, I'm not a rich man, I believe in the place, I want it to work. "I am losing money myself as nobody is running it, but I don't regret buying the site, something good will happen.

But I do apologise for what has happened."? Read more

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