Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell appoints property agents to find buyer for former police headquarters in Liverpool city centre. Tony McDonough reports

Canning Place, Liverpool, former headquarters of Merseyside Police. Picture by Tony McDonough

Merseyside’s Police’s former headquarters in Liverpool city centre is now on the market.

Described by Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell as “the best regeneration opportunity in the entire country”, Canning Place and its 135,000 sq ft building, was the nerve centre of the force for more than 40 years.

In 2021, the force saw the completion of its new £48m HQ at Rose Hill just outside the city centre. Around 650 officers and civilian staff, as well as senior officers, vacate Canning Place which is next to Liverpool ONE.

Merseyside Police also relocated 350 people from an office in Brunswick Dock and 100 from Lower Lane police station.

Now Ms Spurrell has appointed consultancy and construction firm Mace Consult and leading commercial property estate agents Colliers to assist with the marketing and disposal of the 2.64-acre site.

She says she is seeking “the broadest and highest calibre of potential developers”. Ms Spurrell said: “Canning Place occupies a prime location along that skyline, so the sale of this key site provides a unique opportunity to create something special.

“We want this pivotal plot of land to be used for a bold, ambitious, high-quality development which will enhance the city’s vibrant spirit, attract visitors and businesses, and benefit local people.”

This sale is parter of a wider 12-year estate strategy. During the life of the plan, more than £21.6m is expected to be recouped from the sale of 11 old and unused stations, including Canning Place, Bromborough, Maghull and Ainsdale.

In January Ms Spurrell launched a public consultation, asking local people their views on what they would like to see on the site.  The results of that consultation have been used to shape the production of a planning and development brief.

“Moving Merseyside Police’s headquarters from Canning Place to Rose Hill is already saving the organisation approximately £550,000 each year – money which we are investing in the frontline,” she added.

“By selling this landmark site, we will generate money which will be used to continue to transform the police estate, making sure our stations are fit to serve our officers and staff, so they are fit to fight crime now and into the future.”

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Since the relocation to Rose Hill, Canning Place, which first opened in 1977, has been used to house various police teams, while refurbishments to other stations have taken place. Out was the base for significant policing operations, including Eurovision.

The site encompasses the former seven floor station, an annex, car park and a gatehouse. Closing date for applications from developers is October 24.

Interested parties can register their interest with Colliers to obtain the information pack. Contact Mike Brassington on 0161 831 3317 or at mike.brassington@colliers.com