Wirral's Andrew Gibson House restoration nears completion

The much-loved landmark on Seabank Road, Wallasey, had been threatened with demolition after remaining empty for nearly two decades.

It was rescued after a campaign by local residents, councillors and conservation groups, including Save Britain's Heritage.

The Edwardian gem was built in 1906 for widows of retired seafarers.

After being left derelict for more 10 years work to bring the building back to its original glory as well as the additions of a new build set of apartments and houses, under the working project name of Gibson Park.

The restoration has been spearheaded by Prospect Capital, who bought the building in 2019, working alongside the former owners and seafarers charity Nautilus Welfare and Wirral Council.

Prospect MD, Craig Blackwell, said: "It's been a difficult task putting together an overall project that saves this important piece of local heritage, provides Nautilus with the accommodation they need for the future, and that is commercially viable and deliverable.

"Thankfully there has been a great deal of goodwill from all sides and it is fantastic that we are now moving to completion on the first and most important phase of the project.

"Andrew Gibson House is an outstanding and attractive building and I am not surprised that we have already sold every apartment and could have sold them twice over."

The transformation of Andrew Gibson House is the first phase of the wider Gibson Park development.

The next phases will include a new apartment building purpose-built for Nautilus, and enabling residential development on adjacent land formerly belonging to Wirral Council.

On a visit to the site by Wirral Council Leader, Cllr Janette Williamson and Liscard Ward colleague, Cllr David Brennan, Craig Blackwell paid tribute to the pivotal role played by local councillors and Wirral in enabling the rescue of Andrew GIbson House.

Mr Blackwell said: "Without the energy and impetus from Janette and her colleagues, this building would now have been demolished.

"It's only through their practical support through the planning process, and providing scope for the enabling new development, that we have been able to make this project work."

Cllr Janette Williamson said: "It's great to see work progressing so quickly with the project and we look forward to seeing completion of the restoration before the end of the year.

"It demonstrates what can be achieved when parties are willing to work together, and find imaginative solutions to difficult challenges."