Wirral offloads two Birkenhead school buildings to APG

The 32,700 sq ft Hamilton Building and the 42,200 sq ft Conway Centre on Conway Street have been sold by the council, with Liverpool-based asset manager Accelerate Property Group scooping up both four-storey buildings.

Wirral Council’s director of regeneration and place, in consultation with Jill Travers, director of law and corporate services, negotiated the sale of the asset on “the best terms reasonably possible”.

A requirement that the sales be conditional on obtaining planning consent for residential schemes was added.

The committee heard that while the requirement would not guarantee a desired development, it would demonstrate a level of commitment by APG.

Andy Kehoe, assistant director for property and investment at Wirral Council, approved the sale of the two buildings to APG after the buildings were deemed surplus to requirements.

Lambert Smith Hampton marketed both council-owned buildings on behalf of the authority.

The Hamilton building was last used by Wirral Council as offices in 2020. Credit: Google Earth

Conway Centre, a grade two-listed former school, spans 42,200 sq ft over four storeys on its 0.5-acre plot. Its car park provides 30 spaces.

The smaller 32,700 sq ft Hamilton Building also rises four storeys, but on a larger 1.4-acre plot providing car parking for 110 vehicles. The building has been vacant since 2020, when it was last used for council offices.

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Both buildings are suitable for re-use, refurbishment, or redevelopment, subject to planning permission, according to an LSH brochure.

With ongoing holding costs on the vacant assets now removed, Wirral Council expects to save £300,000 a year.