Wirral’s historic buildings put under the microscope

Jul 22 2009 by Carrie Catterall, Birkenhead News

THE FUTURE of Wirral’s historic buildings has been put under the microscope yet again this week.

This comes as many buildings fall into disrepair, pubs shut down and the council announces plans to close buildings and transfer dozens of other assets to the community.

Just last week the Catholic Church was issued with an ultimatum to repair the crumbling Ss Peter and Paul’s Church, New Brighton, or face legal action.

And pubs including The Great Eastern, New Ferry, which was built in 1862 with a number of relics and panels from Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s SS Great Eastern, has been left unoccupied and over the last year has faced problems including vandalism, dilapidation and the threat of demolition.

The council-owned Birkenhead Town Hall may soon change hands, leaving its future uncertain, and it has just been announced that Wallasey Town Hall is one of the council buildings whose future is also being looked at in the latest stage of the authority’s Strategic Asset Review.

However Labour leader Cllr Steve Foulkes said: “Wallasey Town Hall is safe for the foreseeable future.”

Cllr Jerry Williams, the borough's “heritage champion”, said the council has a duty of care over historic architecture and is working hard to protect these buildings.