Price’s Candle Factory flats built

A scheme to redevelop the grade two-listed former candle factory in Bromborough, Wirral, into 22 homes has completed.

Local housing association Wirral Methodist led the £2.4m project to create 16 apartments for people with disabilities, together with six affordable homes.

The historic industrial building was once the centre of candlemaker Price’s 29-acre factory south of Bebington and Port Sunlight, which opened in 1854 and was operational for almost a century until it relocated to different premises.

Price’s Candles fell into administration in 2001 and the company was bought out by Italian firm Cereria Sgarbi, which itself was later acquired by SER Wax Industry. Price’s-branded candles are still being manufactured in Italy.

Under the Bromborough project, the factory was restored to “retain the existing building’s architectural features from the 1850s to 1950s, without losing its industrial character”, Wirral Methodist said.

The project aims to help young people with disabilities to live independently, and Wirral Methodist worked with the PALS Group, a group of parents of the 16 young adults moving into the homes, to ensure that the refurbished building provided all the support they would need.

Ainsley Gommon Architects was the architect for the scheme and Plant Building Contractors was the main contractor. The project received a £660,000 grant from Homes England.

Paul Carhart, chief executive of Wirral Methodist Housing Association, said: “We used our experience providing new homes for people with disabilities, together with our expertise in working with listed buildings, to transform this site into a vibrant development while preserving its history and heritage.”

“The response we had [from prospective occupiers] really demonstrates the demand for affordable homes locally, with over 100 bids received for the six general needs apartments alone.”