Please do not demolish this fine Edwardian building and Mersey Maritime monument to Britain's mariners and their widows. It is a perfect candidate for imaginative reuse - we call on you to save it for posterity.
Why is this important?
Seafarers’ union Nautilus has applied to demolish this grand Edwardian home for sailors' widows, which stands on the River Mersey opposite Liverpool’s famous waterfront World Heritage Site.
The imposing brick and stone Andrew Gibson House was completed in 1906 to provide a sanctuary for the widows of elderly sailors and men lost at sea, and was the gift of a wealthy Liverpool cotton merchant.
Built by individual philanthropy and maintained by the collective contributions of individual Union members, the building represents a unique piece of Britain's maritime and welfare history.
It stands in its own landscaped grounds with unrivalled waterfront views and is owned by the merchant navy union Nautilus, formerly NUMAST, that has managed the building and its extensive Marine Park retirement and convalescent estate for over a century.
Until about a decade ago the building was in use, but it has since been left empty and has become increasingly derelict.
Nautilus has now applied to the local authority, Wirral MBC, for prior approval to demolish the complex. The Council will meet to determine the decision in the next two weeks. Surprisingly, the building is unlisted, and the prominent site is likely to be sold for the development of waterside flats.
The building has already demonstrated that it is ideal for repurposing to apartments, indeed the local authority has already granted permission for conversion, and has approved permission for some enabling development on the grounds.
We urge Nautilus to work with the local authority, Wirral MBC, that supports renovation. In addition, there has been interest from several developers and at least three housing associations to convert the building.
The building remains in essentially good order, requiring mainly remedial works to its roof and services, and it would be inexplicable and inexcusable for Nautilus to knock it down.
