Liverpool Lyceum could become mini-golf course
Jungle Rumble has unveiled plans to transform the grade two-listed building into an indoor golf and entertainment centre.
McInnes Gardner Architects designed the scheme. Hinchliffe Heritage is the heritage consultant.
The Lyceum was built in 1800 as a library and gentlemen’s club. Acclaimed architect Thomas Harrison designed the Lyceum, with William Slater handling the construction.
Over the years, the Lyceum has been a post office, restaurant and bar. Today, much of the building is empty – with the exception of a Chinese restaurant that has taken over the north-west corner.
Under Jungle Rumble’s plans, the ground floor and basement on the central and south-east end of the building would become the miniature golf attraction. The total space is 12,637 sq ft. Proposed work includes adding a new mezzanine, installing removable fixtures, redecorating the former library and repairing its doors and some minor internal alterations.
Jungle Rumble, already has locations in Glasgow, London, Bristo and Brighton.
According to Hinchliffe Heritage, the building being occupied by Jungle Rumble is a good thing for the historic site.
The consultancy wrote in the scheme’s design and access statement: “The principle of the proposed conversion and re-use of the building will thus have a large beneficial impact on the building itself and the Duke Street Conservation Area by bringing the building back into a sustainable and viable use which will ensure the long-term conservation of the building which is a key building within the conservation area.”
It’s good that it would be open and active but putting crazy golf in there is ridiculous. So tacky.
By Clark
Horrendous , its a beautiful building in an excellent location at the bottom of Bold St to even consider allowing it to be used for crazy golf just about sums up our city’s slow demise. The building and city center deserves better. Lets get a Greggs and Pound shop in there as well shall we .
By Paul M - Woolton
It’s all good and well saying an entertainment use such as crazy golf is ridiculous or tacky, but nobody else seems willing to invest in the building.
In an ideal world we’d see our buildings used to their best potential, and for uses that benefit the public the most. However, that is not the market that exists. Jumble Rumble are willing to invest in, and sensitively restore, the building. Surely that’s better than letting it continue to rot?
By Anonymous
Would have liked to have seen Leaf take this space and open an upmarket tea room/restaurant, but you only have to walk round central London these days to see the leisure sector growing and these types of ventures, like mini golf , using classical buildings to house them.
This could kick start more activity at the lower end of Bold St and entice Simon Rimmer to re-consider opening his beer hall in the building opposite.
By Anonymous
Summarise Liverpool’s fall from grace in one scheme….
By 1981
I think accepting some form of crazy golf in that building and location is simply settling and setting a very low bar.
This is one of the key gateway buildings attached to one of the major transport hubs not to mention the historic importance. Nobody wants this to be boarded up and unloved. It needs investment and creative thinking in terms of its use. But we can do better.
By Clark
Great building…terrible usage ….a very bad image for the city
By George
This building has sat unused for as long as I can remember. Liverpool is certainly not the only city where historic buildings get very alternative uses. Better the build is used and the building reno standards are still insisted on being a high standard.
By Anonymous
Sigh……Zip wire anyone?
By Tufty
Anyone who thinks Liverpool city council has changed only needs to observe the dearth of effort being put into turning sound perceptions and getting proper investment in.
This, and student flats in the old Grade II listed courthouse.
Honestly, the city would be better off if the council was just shut down.
By Jeff
Ridiculous use of a heritage building. Should be rejected.
By Chris
Unbelievable Jeff
By Verum
All those criticising the use, what viable, alternative use do you suggest? The building has sat vacant for 10 years.
By Mr Bold
Shameful that Liverpool council can’t even attract enough investment to the city over 10 yrs to do something more in keeping with a part of the city’s heritage than this tawdry nonsense. Says it all really.
By Aigburther
Ridiculous idea. Why not use it as a local tourist information office like you see in most towns and cities. Another sub standard development like the ‘world class’ Lime Street we were promised.
By Paul
Would make an ideal location for an Altrincham market hall type business.
By Anonymous
In my youth it was a beautiful cafe, where you were served your food rather than having to queue for self service laden with bags and parcels. So a type of full service restaurant or cafe would be lovely. We do not want ‘crazy golf’ here nor a go-karting venue in Debenhams. There are enough tacky pound shops and discount shops in Bold Street already. An exclusive ‘posh’ eating venue, where you can just put down your parcels on the floor and be served, please.
By Janet C C