Merseyside Police saw its new £48m headquarters at Rose Hill completed in 2021 and now it is asking the public what they would like to see on its old Canning Place site. Tony McDonough reports
A public consultation is beginning to help decide the fate of the former Merseyside Police headquarters close to Liverpool waterfront.
In 2021, the force saw the completion of its new £48m HQ at Rose Hill just outside the city centre. Around 650 officers and civilian staff, as well as senior officers, vacate Canning Place which is next to Liverpool ONE.
Merseyside Police also relocated 350 people from an office in Brunswick Dock and 100 from Lower Lane police station.
Now Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell has started the process that will see the disposal of Canning Place. Consultants at Colliers, Mace, and PLACED have been appointed to market the 2.65-acre site.
However, rather than just sell the site to the highest bidder Ms Spurrell is keen to find out what the people of Liverpool would like to see on what is a prominent site just across The Strand from the Royal Albert Dock.
She said: “The sale of Merseyside Police’s historic former headquarters is a unique opportunity to create something special on Liverpool’s iconic waterfront.
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“People from all over the region, the country, and indeed the world, know and love our skyline along the Mersey, boasting the Three Graces and the Royal Albert Dock and Kings Dock.
“I am committed to ensuring this pivotal plot of land is used for a high-quality development which will enhance the city and have a long-lasting economic, social, and environmental value for local people.”
Members of the public are invited to share their views on what the site could be used for by taking part in an online survey. Click here for more details and to take part.
Two consultation events will also be held at a pop-up shop in Liverpool ONE on the upper level of South John Street, next to Oliver Bonas. They will take place at:
- 10.30am to 6pm on Monday, February 5.
- 11am to 6pm on Thursday, February 15.
Mike Brassington, director at Colliers, added: “This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future development of Canning Place and provide positive feedback that will best inform the eventual site disposal.
“Canning Place fronts The Strand, Liverpool’s world-renowned waterfront, and is adjacent to Liverpool ONE. As such, the opportunity will appeal to a range of regional, national, and international developers seeking to invest in Liverpool.”