A historic former bank building in Everton, Liverpool, which has been vacant for several years, is scheduled to be sold at auction on July 15. The property, located at the corner of Everton Valley and Netherfield Road North, was most recently used by Coopers Upholstery before the business relocated to Wirral, sparking speculation about its future.
Property Details and Auction Information
The building is a well-known landmark in the Everton area and for commuters traveling in and out of Liverpool city centre. It sits within a residential area comprising apartment blocks and various housing types. The auction, conducted by Landwood Property Auctions, will take place between 11am and 11:30am on Wednesday, July 15, with a guide price of £230,000 and a recommended minimum opening bid of £228,000. The sale is for the freehold of the site.
Previous Planning and Current Status
In 2023, a planning application was submitted to demolish the building and replace it with a three- to six-storey block containing 49 residential apartments with associated access and car parking (reference 20F/1243). However, the Liverpool ECHO understands that those plans have now expired, and any new proposals would require a fresh planning application. The application was put forward by Erin Strategic Land Limited (ESLL), which is now subject to an ongoing insolvency case. The planning permission was to be granted following completion of a Section 106 Agreement, but the application was subject to an Article 40 disposal by the local planning authority and has been permanently removed from Liverpool City Council's live register.
Receivership and Sale Background
The property is being marketed as a 'development opportunity' upon instructions from the 'Joint Fixed Charge Receivers', typically appointed by a secured lender when a borrower defaults on a mortgage or debenture. The receivers are tasked with taking control, managing, and selling the asset to recover the debt. According to the official copy of the register of title, the property was last purchased in 2019 for £400,000. The auction listing describes the site as comprising a former bank building, now vacant and in need of refurbishment, together with adjacent land totaling 0.161 hectares (0.398 acres). The listing notes that the site is considered to have development potential subject to obtaining necessary consents.
