Birkenhead’s historic former town hall “for sale”

May 8 2009 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

Birkenhead Town Hall

The Grade II* listed former Birkenhead Town Hall provides a fitting focal point for one of England’s grandest public squares – only Trafalgar Square, in London, can boast more Grade 1 listed buildings than Birkenhead’s Hamilton Square.

The sale of the town hall is part of the SAR, revealed late last year by the Labour and Lib-Dem led council, which outlined plans to close 11 libraries, as well as leisure centres, museums and the Pacific Road theatre.

Earlier this week, it was announced that the public inquiry into the library closures will take place next month, but other elements of the SAR continue.

Last night, Wirral Council’s cabinet member for culture, Cllr Bob Moon, said they were hoping for “a variety of different responses” to their marketing of the building, which is being offered for sale or lease.

He said: “When we have them all in, we will be looking carefully at the viability and appropriateness of the various proposals.”

Cllr Moon also revealed that council planned to advertise the Tram Museum, Shore Road Pumping Station and the Pacific Road theatre, with the last to remain a “second performance space in Wirral”.