The Beatles-themed community building on Penny Lane in Liverpool has been put up for sale almost a year after it closed its doors. The Penny Lane Community Trust, which ran the centre, is now in liquidation.
History of the trust and centre
The Penny Lane Community Trust was established in 2003 to save nearby fields from a housing development. In 2010, the community centre and Beatles visitor centre opened, featuring Fab Four memorabilia and a mural of Paul McCartney and John Lennon on its outer wall. The building was often visited by guides showing tourists Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields.
Julia Gornell, the trust's senior charity officer, confirmed the building would close for the final time on New Year's Eve last year. She wrote on social media that the charity had faced increased utility costs and reduced footfall, which placed a "huge toll" on "already limited resources." A voluntary liquidator was appointed in January this year.
Sale conditions and council approval
The building is held under a 99-year lease dating back to July 2009, granted by Liverpool Council at a peppercorn rent of £1 a year. According to the listing on JPS Chartered Surveyors, interested parties must be a charity or community organisation. Any proposed assignee will be required to complete Liverpool Council's due diligence checklist and business plan template demonstrating suitability, financial viability, and compliance with the permitted use.
Any sale will be conditional upon approval from Liverpool Council.
Local reaction and future potential
Cllr Richard Kemp, a former Lord Mayor of Liverpool and Penny Lane ward councillor, said he was frustrated at the length of time it had taken for movement to begin on the location. He said: "It is disgraceful that this has taken so long and it will be well over a year before a successful bidder can start to use the building for the local community.
"As I am not part of the decision-making process, I would be pleased to engage with local people and companies on the options.
"I hope that we can think big on this. In the summer students from the Liverpool University School of Architecture produced some great ideas and a second group of students are now working them into more deliverable projects.
"We could also look at working together on looking at grant applications for suitable proposals. Together these developments have a brilliant potential for attracting tourists into the Beatles Homeland Quarter which will benefit the city and help raise money for good local projects which will benefit Penny Lane area residents."
The centre's garden featured a Beatles theme with a yellow submarine, donated by the Cavern Club, and the former gates from the Mather Avenue fire station. A map in the trust's gift shop showed visitors had come from around the world, including Angola and Bermuda.
