Member Article

Liverpool’s Bill Shankly hotel to create up to 60 jobs

A major council building in the heart of Liverpool city centre is set to be transformed into an aparthotel themed around Liverpool FC’s legendary former manager Bill Shankly.

The city council’s cabinet will be asked to approve plans for the authority to dispose of Millennium House to Signature Living Hotel Ltd.

It follows the completion of the city council’s acquisition this week of the Cunard building, part of a cost-saving scheme which will see the council relocating hundreds of staff to the Grade II waterfront site and disposing of its interest in Millennium House, and the 10th floor of The Capital building on Old Hall Street.

If given the go-ahead, Signature Living Hotel Ltd (SL), will submit a planning application to convert Millennium House into a 250-capacity Bill Shankly-themed Aparthotel.

A ‘Bill Shankly museum’ within the hotel will feature a range of never-before-seen items, which tell the story of the revered Liverpool FC manager, and which have been held for many years by his family.

The £15 million development will also include 17,500 sq ft of upgraded office space – which will house Signature Living’s head office, as well as providing space for local start-up companies, as part of a young, creative professional hub.

The Lifestyles Gym which operates from the building will be expanded and upgraded – with new, state-of-the-art equipment – and leased back by the council, who will continue to operate.

It is estimated that the scheme will create over 60 jobs during the construction period, and a further 100 jobs once the conversion is complete and the building fully occupied.

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “The relocation of our staff to the Cunard building will generate millions in savings and income for the city council. But it’s really important, once our staff leave Millennium House, that the long-term vibrancy of the building – and importantly, Victoria Street – is protected. I believe this project will deliver that.

“Liverpool’s sporting heritage is celebrated throughout the world, but we do not have a major football attraction in the city centre. These proposals would change that, providing a permanent tribute to one of our most famous footballing heroes, filling a gap within our tourism market, and attracting visitors from across the globe.

“This really is a unique project, and something people would not be able to experience anywhere else in the world. A hotel celebrating the life, times and achievements of Bill Shankly would complement the raft of cultural attractions on the nearby William Brown Street, and further boost our tourism offer in this part of the city.

“The scheme would also enable us to deliver a bigger, better, Lifestyles gym, as well as delivering new office space, creating jobs and securing major investment in a key city centre building. It’s a great deal for the city.”

Bill Shankly’s grandson, Chris Carline, who is collaborating with Signature Living on the project, said: “I’ve been working on this idea for many years now, meeting different people and seeking different advice about how I could make this happen.

“As a huge Liverpool fan and born and bred Liverpudlian, who’s travelled everywhere with the club, I’ve always known what a fantastic amenity this could be for the City.

“It is about celebrating Shankly the man, his achievements, what he stood for and the people he influenced and those who influenced him; celebrating his life in essence.

“We have unbelievable memorabilia that has never been seen before and family stories that will ensure a visit to the hotel gives you a never before seen or heard Shankly experience – it really will be a must see for everyone.

“He loved this City and would be so proud, as he was all about the people and their experience – and this is the exact ethos that Signature Living look to provide for guests.”

If granted Cabinet approval, Signature Living intends to submit a planning application for the whole project in April.

Construction of the aparthotel and office conversion would begin in early 2015 with the scheme due to complete by March 2016.

The gym expansion would be carried out first, and completed by summer of this year. The existing gym will continue to run while the work takes place, keeping disruption to existing gym users to a minimum.

Lawrence Kenwright, Director at Signature Living Hotel Ltd, said: “Whatever one’s football allegiance, Bill Shankly remains a legend of the sport. He brought the glory days back to Liverpool FC, and we intend to do the same at this landmark city centre building.

“We will transform it into an iconic hotel and museum in his name. We will also use part of the building to support local start-ups and new university graduates, with what will be a creative hub for tomorrow’s entrepreneurs.

“If approved, these plans will provide a huge boost to Liverpool’s regeneration and will be yet another good news story for the city.”

Under Bill Shankly, Liverpool FC lifted most of the game’s major honours, including three Football League titles, the UEFA Cup, the FA Charity Shield on four occasions and the FA Cup twice. He retired in 1974 after masterminding Liverpool’s triumph in that year’s FA Cup Final against Newcastle. He died in 1981.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .