Member Article

Historic Mersey docklands artefacts restored for IFB audience

A number of historic architectural artefacts along Liverpool’s Regent Road are to be restored in time for the arrival of tens of thousands of visitors who will descend on the city region for the inaugural International Festival for Business.

Landowner of Liverpool Waters, Peel Holdings, has appointed local restoration contractor Repair Services UK to carry out the works under the guidance of heritage consultant Peter de Figueiredo.

The works which will take around six weeks to complete will see the restoration of the granite built turrets which stand at the entrance to Collingwood Dock, the sandstone gateposts at the entrances to both Clarence Dock and Clarence Graving Dock and two former water fountains which are set into the dock wall.

The entry ways will be cleared of vegetation and have the decades of grime and dirt carefully removed before being repointed, returning them to how they would have looked when they were newly built.

Also as part of the works, two low-quality single storey extensions which were added to the famous hexagonal Victoria clock tower will be demolished to return the landmark tower to its original design.

Unveiled in 1848 the tower, designed by Jesse Hartley, stands at the entrance to Salisbury Dock and was used by sailors as a directional landmark and as a timepiece for much of the central dock system. Its tolling bell was also used by sailors as an orientation aid in poor visibility.

The extensions were added to the tower in the early 20th century to provide additional storage and permission was granted to demolish them by Liverpool City Council in July 2013.

Ian Pollitt said: “During IFB, Regent Road is going to be a busy thoroughfare for people journeying between events at the Stanley Dock complex and the city centre. We want to use the opportunity of IFB to present the best possible face of the city’s majestic past and highlight the rich heritage of Liverpool Waters.

“The dock wall and the gateposts are key features of the city’s world heritage site and we’ll be removing decades of grime, soot and exhaust fumes to return the entry ways to their original condition.”

Nick Kavanagh, Liverpool City Council’s Director of Regeneration said: “Regent Road is a major gateway route for the city which will be seen by numerous visitors to the IFB. It features some landmark features of the city’s rich architectural heritage so it is very pleasing that they are being restored in time for the festival.”

Graeme Ives, English Heritage Principal Inspector of Historic Buildings and Areas said: “We very much welcome the conservation works to clean and repair the entrances in the dock wall, which is a key feature of the World Heritage Site. The works show how the impetus provided by Internal Festival for Business is already resulting in heritage benefits for the City alongside the regeneration of Stanley Dock.”

Liverpool Waters forms a significant part of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site which is coordinated and managed by the world heritage steering group. The steering group, of which Peel Holdings is a member, meets regularly to plan and advise on the maintenance of the Site.

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