Protecting Liverpool?s Heritage
Many of Liverpool's historical buildings are at risk of decay according to Save Britain's Heritage.
An exhibition at Liverpool?s milkandsugar gallery aims to highlight the threat facing many of the city?s historical buildings.
?Triumph, Disaster and Decay?, has been organised by Save Britain?s Heritage (SAVE) and runs from 16 February to 6 March, 2009
Robert Hradsky of SAVE put together the exhibition, which includes a section called ?Liverpool at Risk? featuring 40 buildings SAVE say are under threat, ?We published a report way back in 1984 called ?The Agony of Georgian Liverpool? which highlighted the plight of dozens of fine Georgian houses around Liverpool,? Robert explains.
?There?s still a significant number that are derelict today and decaying.?
Famous losses
The exhibition includes photographs from English Heritage?s archive collection showing some of the architectural losses Liverpool has suffered over the years including the Custom?s House and less well known buildings from the suburbs like Prescot Town Hall which was demolished in the 1960s.
The display also features decorative ironwork which was salvaged from one of the city?s most famous losses, the Sailor?s Home on Canning Street which disappeared in the 1970s.
Robert Hradsky says the economic problems that Liverpool faced in the late 20th Century contributed to the loss of many buildings, ?Liverpool has a difficult history of very severe economic decline from the ?60s right through to the ?80s, it was a very dark time for the cities heritage too.
?Liverpool?s such a fantastic city, the heritage that has survived is some of the most spectacular in England.
?The Georgian heritage is unequalled in the north of England.?
Despite Liverpool?s recent redevelopment there are still many buildings in the city centre that SAVE believe are at risk ?There?s a number of Georgian houses on Duke Street and Seel Street,? says Robert Hradsky.
?There?s also the Wellington Rooms which is a fantastic Georgian building, beautiful Greek revival building with a very fine fa?ade and its lain empty since the ?90s, water has got in and damaged the plasterwork.
?There?s a ballroom inside with a frieze of dancing maidens and it?s a really important part of Liverpool?s heritage.
?The Seaman?s Orphanage in Newsham Park and the former Welsh Presbyterian Church in Toxteth which is completely roofless, it?s a terrible ruin, though it?s still a fantastic local landmark.?
While the current economic downturn may hit the construction industry Robert believes it is often cheaper to reuse an existing building than to clear the site and start afresh, ?There?s so many proposals to knock buildings down and rebuild them that its actually more economically and financially viable to repair a building.?
One of the most significant demolitions took place just after the Second World War, ?I think the greatest loss would have to be the Customs House which was demolished in 1947 after being damaged in the war,? explains Robert Hradsky.
?The shell of the building was intact but instead of being restored it was demolished.
?It was reported this was done to relieve unemployment, it?s a shame they couldn?t have repaired it to the same end.?
Triumph, Disaster and Decay ? The SAVE survey of Liverpool?s heritage is at the milkandsugar gallery 82 Wood Street until 6 March, 2009.
BBC Liverpool
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Originally Posted by Kev
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