Thanks to this award, Rotunda will be able to restore 107 Great Mersey Street, creating much needed resources for the local community.

Rotunda - based in the adjoining listed terrace of  Great Mersey Street - have worked in the Kirkdale area for more than 20 years providing support to the community in promoting cultural diversity and artistic endeavours across North Liverpool.

The project will fully repair and restore 107 Great Mersey Street and convert it into a heritage and enterprise hub, creating business starter units and a multi-use meeting area which will be the home to a diverse range of heritage activities.

These will include a six-month project entitled 'Echoes of the Past' inviting local people to learn about the history of the building through an audio-visual interpretation and drama, dance and storytelling and n intergenerational project involving sharing knowledge between younger and older members of the community, culminating in a three month exhibition exploring their discoveries.

Sara Hilton, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) North West, said: “By restoring one of the last remaining Georgian buildings in Kirkdale, this project will preserve important local built heritage, whilst creating new opportunities for people from across the community. The creation of a business hub and providing a new home for a range of activities will build on the impressive work that Rotunda already does, and shows how heritage-led regeneration can have a real impact on people’s lives.”

Maxine Ennis, Chief Executive Officer of Rotunda, said: “Rotunda is thrilled with HLF’s decision to invest in the future of Kirkdale. Rotunda is a community lead and run organisation; the refurbishment of 107 Great Mersey Street represents a community empowered to regenerate itself. The project will act as a catalyst to the communities’ regeneration not only in the physical sense but also in its sense of wellbeing. The people of Kirkdale deserve this opportunity.

I would to thank the 107 steering group members for all their support over past two years, its been hard work but worth it to see our cultural heritage restored to its former glory.”

Louise Ellman, MP for Liverpool Riverside, responded to the news by saying: "This is fantastic news for the people of Kirkdale. Rotunda already provides much-needed support for the local community, and this project will enable them to further develop their work, whilst ensuring the preservation of this important historic building. Understanding and exploring our heritage can bring people together and let them demonstrate their pride in their community."

The Grade II listed buildings of 107-117 Great Mersey Street are the sole surviving example of Georgian architecture in the historic township of Kirkdale, Liverpool. The buildings are evidence of the late 18th century move of wealthy merchants from Liverpool's city centre to the less polluted and congested areas on the outskirts of the city. The house was originally occupied by Uriah Davenport, a wealthy iron founder. It has also been used by St Alphosus Church and School as well as the Catholic Young Men and Boys Club.

The building fell into disuse in the 1970s which left it vulnerable to vandalism culminating in a fire in 1993. Rotunda, who already owned 109-111 Great Mersey Street acquired the building in 1993. The project will restore architectural features which have been lost due to fire damage, water ingress, vandalism and dry rot, alongside the creation of new facilities including a café for all Rotunda’s users.

Notes to editors

HLF has supported over 33,000 projects, allocating £4.5billion across the UK, including over £500million to the North West alone. 

Further information

Please contact Roland Smith at the Heritage Lottery Fund press office on 020 7591 6047 / 07713 486 420 or on rolands@hlf.org.uk.