Charitable foundation set up by Christmas savings and hampers tycoon Peter Johnson acquires Wirral office building for its new HQ and to provide accommodation for young care leavers. Tony McDonough reports
Wirral charity The Johnson Foundation has acquired a former office building in Birkenhead town centre.
Located in Conway Street, Europa House has been empty for several years and will now become the charity’s new headquarters and will also offer 26 bedrooms for young people leaving care.
Peter Johnson was the founder of Park Group, a Christmas savings and hampers firm, and thanks to the success of the venture was able to buy controlling stakes in both Tranmere Rovers and Everton football clubs.
Mr Johnson died in January 2024 aged 84 but the foundation he established in 1987 continues to support communities across Liverpool city region. It is particularly committed to helping vulnerable youth in building independent lives.
It secured planning consent to convert Europa House into a university-style residence for young care leavers in October 2024. Now, with the deal to acquire the building completed, the charity can push on with the project.
There is little support for young people who have been in care once they become adults. Being suddenly thrust into the adult world without a family support network can leave them vulnerable.
To be named Peter Johnson Halls in honour of the charity’s founder, the centre will offer a comfortable and secure home for care leavers alongside educational, learning and training support, as well as essential pastoral care.
And the foundation will also leave its current home in Pacific Road in Birkenhead and establish a permanent headquarters on the ground floor of the building.
Kate Eugeni, chair of The Johnson Foundation and daughter of the founder, said: “There is very little provision for young adults leaving the care system who can often feel completely isolated and overwhelmed when they leave the safety net of being a ‘looked after’ young person.
“Statistics show that a significant percentage of young men and women from this group can quite easily slip through the net, and simply aren’t able to identify and access opportunities that may be available to them.
“This centre aims to not only offer a home, but ensures that these youngsters are able to develop essential life skills and successfully navigate their way into the adult world.”
Wirral property firm Smith and Sons managed the sale of the building on behalf of the previous owner, and the Johnson Foundation has now begun work on the six-month renovation project. Falconer Chester Hall are the scheme’s architects.
Jason Wadeson, partner at Smith and Sons, said: “It’s fantastic to see Europa House move into the hands of an aspirational Wirral-based charity who will repurpose the building and create something very different to its former use.
“Commercial buildings across the country , such as this, are being redeveloped for alternative use as the traditional workplace and space takes on a very different identity.”