Council Confirms Ownership of Long-Vacant Pub
Liverpool City Council has confirmed it owns the freehold to the historic Prince of Wales Hotel, a Grade II Listed building on London Road that has been partly boarded up for almost 40 years. The revelation comes after decades of speculation about the future of the pub, which has been disused since at least 1999.
The ECHO's investigation into the Land Registry established the council's ownership. A council spokesperson stated: “The former Prince of Wales Hotel is a prominent historic building and an important part of the heritage of the London Road area. Liverpool City Council has the freehold interest with a long leasehold interest in place, and we are continuing to review the full property position.”
Planning Applications Come and Go
Between 1995 and 2007, eleven planning applications were submitted for the site. These included proposals to refurbish the pub and convert it into apartments and commercial premises. Ten of these were approved with conditions, but all have since expired, leaving no current plans for the building.
The building has been in a state of limbo for decades. Google Maps street view imagery from 2008 shows the property in nearly identical condition to today, with boarded-up lower windows and a central doorway. The only change is the absence of 'For Let' signs that periodically appeared over the years.
Public Outpouring of Memories
In May 2026, a post on the 'Lovely Liverpool' Facebook page sparked over 140 comments, reflecting the deep affection for the pub. Derek Moore shared: “According to our family history a member of our family worked there in 1910, I drive past it virtually everyday and look at the door and think how many times he's walked through it.” Mary Vernon recalled: “Does anyone remember the 2 women who used to come in midweek to read your Palm or your cards. They always had a queue waiting for them when they arrived.” Anthony Doran urged: “Beautiful structure preserve it and put life back into it. Instead of letting it decay.”
Council Committed to Regeneration
The council spokesperson added: “We recognise the significance of the building and the interest that local people have in seeing it brought back into productive use. The Council remains committed to supporting the ongoing regeneration of the London Road corridor and surrounding neighbourhoods, which have seen substantial investment and improvement in recent years.”
While no specific proposals are currently in place, the council “would welcome the restoration and reuse of heritage assets wherever viable opportunities can be identified.” The Prince of Wales Hotel, built in 1891 and listed in 1975, remains a poignant symbol of Liverpool's architectural heritage awaiting revival.
