Grosvenor Assembly Rooms in Liscard saved from closure

Jan 18 2012 by Linda Foo Guest, Birkenhead News

A CENTURY-OLD public hall in Wirral has been saved from closure.

A community group has successfully saved the popular 105-year-old Grosvenor Assembly Rooms, in Liscard, after purchasing them from Wirral Council.

The hall, which once played host to The Beatles, was bought by the Grosvenor Community Association, using the Localism Bill’s Community Right To Buy scheme, after it was earmarked for closure.

The building is used by community groups for activities such as dance and exercise classes, a theatre group, Tai Chi and blood donor sessions.

A new childcare facility is being built behind the Assembly Rooms to house the Stars Childcare nursery, which is run from the centre.

Ken Harrison, chairman of the Grosvenor Community Association, said: “We are really pleased we have been able to save the Grosvenor Assembly Rooms from closure. They are the beating heart of the Liscard community.

“When news first broke of the intended closure, it came as a terrible shock, but now we feel it is being handed over to the people who use it.”

Ian MacGregor, partner at Lees Solicitors, which oversaw the purchase on behalf of the community association, added: “The Grosvenor Assembly Rooms are a fixture in the community and we were pleased to help the group retain the hall for future public use.

“There are other areas where halls facing closure are being bought by the public, showing there is still demand for community spaces.”