Monday 25 February 2019

Littlewoods Pools, Liverpool

History

The Littlewoods Pools building (also known as the Littlewoods Building) is a notable building on Edge Lane in Liverpool. Built in 1938, and probably designed by Scottish architect Gerald de Courcey Fraser, the building is next to the Wavertree Botanic Gardens.

The building has had various uses throughout its life. It was originally the headquarters of Littlewoods, then the country's largest family-owned business empire.

A year after it opened, during World War II, it was requisitioned and became home of the government's postal censorship department, while its printing presses were used to print National Registration cards. Its vast internal spaces were used for manufacturing the floors of Halifax Bombers, barrage balloons and woollen material. In the 1940s the building was also used by Unity Pools (formed from Littlewoods, Zetters and Vernons).

The building has stood empty since 2003.

In June 2018, developers Capital & Centric announced the new site will consist of a film studio complex and adjacent soundstages to become a new base of Twickenham Studios. Slated to become 'Hollywood of The North', the studios will be named Littlewoods Studios as an homage to the building in which the studios will be housed.

On 2 September 2018 a fire broke out at night in part of the complex. The roof and upper floor of one wing were lost, although the main structure was saved.

Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Littlewoods_Pools_building

Esoteric Eric















Eldon Grove, Liverpool

History

The Grade II listed blocks are the last remaining original-style tenement buildings in the city, but have been left to rot after falling out of use more than a decade ago.

Plans to restore the three blocks back to residential use, as well as build a new block of apartments on the surrounding land, have been revealed but have yet to come to fruition.

Source:

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/look-inside-historic-eldon-grove-10916140

Esoteric Eric












Edinburgh Park Dockers Club, Liverpool

History

The club closed in 2013 and is currently earmarked for 230 new homes.

Esoteric Eric



Ducie Street, Liverpool

History

Made up of Cairns Street, Beaconsfield Street, Jermyn Street and Ducie Street, the Granby 4 Streets were built in the 1890s and fell into disrepair after the Toxteth Riots in 1981.

Although hundreds were moved away from the area with many homes left derelict, local residents fought demolition and over the past 10 years have cleaned and planted the streets, painted houses and started a monthly market.

Now, nearly 100 homes have been brought back into use - and they have a Turner Prize to their name too.

Source:
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/look-how-far-granby-4-10564438

Esoteric Eric






Lister Drive Library, Liverpool

History

Lister Drive/ Andrew Carnegie Library was constructed with a donation of funding from local philanthropost Andrew Carnegie, and opened in 1905. The Library is a two-storey brick built building, a slate roof and an octagonal turret and was designed by Thomas Shelmerdine. 

The Library originally contained a lending library and a number of reading rooms. Sadly, following an accident involving a member of staff, the library closed in 2006 and has remained vacant since. This period of un-occupation has resulted in the library being subject to theft, vandalism and neglect. However the library is set to get a fresh start with plans being approved to turn the building into a community hub.

Source:
https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/andrew-carnegie-lister-drive-library-liverpool-may17.110304/

Esoteric Eric







Wednesday 20 February 2019

Bowmans Flour Mill, Eggborough

History

Whitley Bridge Mill was originally built in 1870s by John and Thomas Croysdale. Powered by electricity and steam, the mill utilised roller milling, a technique that had revolutionised the flour industry. For more than 100 years the mill was owned by James Bowman & Sons Ltd. Bowmans ceased operations at the mill in 2016 after making the decision to move away from flour milling, and the mill was subsequently closed.

Source:
https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/bowmans-flour-whitley-bridge-mill-eggborough-february-2019.116660/

Esoteric Eric