BPS acquires Liverpool’s Church House

Liverpool developer BPS has been granted a 125-year lease of the city's Grade II listed Church House on Hanover Street in order for the building to be redeveloped.

BPS will restore and convert the unoccupied early nineteenth century building to create two ground floor commercial units, which will include a new mezzanine level, and six self-contained office/commercial suites on the three upper floors. The ornate façade of the building – located next to the new John Lewis department store in the Liverpool One development – will also be restored.

The Diocese will retain the freehold of Church House.

The BPS deal was negotiated through law firm Hill Dickinson, newly appointed lawyer to the Diocese, succeeding Gamon Arden & Co, which represented the Diocese for the past 128 years.

Roger Arden, registrar and Bishop's legal secretary to the Diocese of Liverpool and former partner of Gamon Arden & Co, has joined Hill Dickinson as a consultant.

Elwyn Edwards, partner in the commercial property team at Hill Dickinson, said: "We're delighted to have been appointed to work for the Diocese of Liverpool. It's a truly landmark contract for the firm as well as for the Diocese itself.

"The successful conclusion of the development agreement in relation to Church House is just the beginning. It will also be a pleasure to work alongside Roger Arden and to benefit from his considerable knowledge and expertise."

Church House was previously used as offices by the Diocese until their relocation to St James' House adjacent to the Anglican Cathedral in September 2007.