2026 is here and I have been thinking about the changes I would love to see in Liverpool in 2025, including tackling the derelict buildings blighting our beautiful city.
Despite large sums of money being invested into the regeneration of Liverpool and the surrounding city region, many run-down buildings have been earmarked for restoration which has failed to materialise, others have seen planning applications fall through and some have even been devastated by fires.
Many important buildings - such as former churches and historic halls - have been granted Listed status, which protects them from being demolished or altered, but sadly does not ensure they are properly maintained. As a result, many have become overrun with rot and, in some cases, are in a complete state of ruin.
From abandoned pubs to once magnificent buildings, these are some of the eyesores I would love to see restored over the next 12 months. Let me know which buildings you would like to see tackled by leaving a comment below.
5. Greenbank Drive Synagogue, Sefton Park
This Grade II* listed synagogue is located on Greenbank Drive and was built 1936. It has been vacated by the local congregation. Urgent repairs to stabilise the building were carried out, grant-aided by Historic England. However, it remains unoccupied, and vegetation is evident at roof level and within the masonry, in addition to deteriorating glazing. Proposals for conversion to flats have not been taken forward. Historic England said: "Immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric." | Rodhullandemu, CC BY-SA 3.0
6. Merseyside Centre for the Deaf, Princes Avenue
The former Merseyside Centre for the Deaf on Princes Avenue is a Grade II-listed building, named by the Victorian Society as a heritage building at risk of disrepair in 2018. The abandoned building has been left to erode and rot. | Rept0n1x, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
7. Wellington Rooms, Liverpool
This Grade II* structure was built as a private assembly room for the Wellington Club in 1815. Later used as an Irish Club. Severe dry rot continues to be monitored. The local authority set up a steering group, which commissioned a condition survey and feasibility study to identify an end use. A Historic England grant-aided project has addressed the most urgent repairs, but a long term re-use scheme continues to be elusive. | Google Maps
8. St Bride's Church, Percy Street
St Bride's Church, Percy Street, was built in 1829-30 in the Greek Revival style to the designs of Samuel Rowland. According to Historic England, the building is "declining". The church has Grade II* listed status and is truly stunning but whenever I walk past I think about how lovely it would look after some TLC. | Rodhullandemu, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons