You may well have heard on local radio or read this news by now but it has been announced that old lifeboat station has been sold to a local company and the proposed museum can now go ahead. John Parr, the man behind the museum project writes:
Dear Friends,
At last, I can openly state that the former Hoylake Lifeboat Station has been saved and we can now look forward to developing a Lifeboat Museum we can all be proud of.
This is only the beginning, of course. The work now starts but it is timely to thank some key contributors.
Firstly, John Whittaker, Chairman of Peel Holdings, and his Board. Peel recognised the enthusiasm and support for the project demonstrated by our local community and responded positively to this.
Secondly, Tony Crane and Mike Burke, two local directors of Hylgar Properties who have financed the purchase of the buildings. We shall conclude with Hylgar a long-term lease of the buildings on a not for profit basis. I am immensesley grateful to Tony and Mike who, some may recall, were instrumental in saving both the former Town Hall and Central Hall.
Last but not least, you who have come forward to express your support and commitment. Without your strong voice, the original proposals for the buildings and adjoining land to be sold for commercial
would have been followed through. But key people have listened, they have responded. Now we must make sure we deliver….and enjoy…a viable and successful Lifeboat Museum.Thank you once again for standing up for this project and for the invaluable role each of you has – and I hope will – continue to play.
Best wishes – John
Feel free to share your thoughts on the future of this old building.
Peter Wilson says
Great news! Congratulations to all concerned. This is a real leap forward for the seafront.
judith irvine says
Fantastic news, well done everyone.
Lynda Williams says
I am so pleased for all of you, it was worth the effort of sending a few emails, fantastic!
Lynda Williams says
Also might I add a great big thank you to Tony Crane and Mike Burke for their kindness, they have done so much for Hoylake.
Gail Rochford Gilchrist says
Great news!! A big well done to all concerned.
Martyn says
John
Well done, a fantastic result for all the work you and the team have put in, Hoylake is a fitting venue for such a museum and thankfully the Prom is saved from having a commercial enteprise on the site.
Jennifer Triggs says
I will look forward to visiting the museum. Great news.
nicola daniels says
Brilliant!
Jimmy Rae says
I’m glad to hear that the place is going to be preserved in some way but I have to say I have serious reservations about the commercial viability of a lifeboat museum on its own. Lets be honest, how many of us would be likely to visit it more than once? Does Hoylake get enough visitors to sustain it long term? I don’t think it does, sadly.
What the promenade really needs is a decent cafe with toilets that would create a proper focal point down there. I’m sure it would get well used by the walkers, cyclists, bird watchers, beach goers, young mums and all the general passing trade and really enhance Hoylake’s offer to visitors. By all means lets make it lifeboat themed and fill it with interesting old photos and memorabilia but a museum on its own is a real missed opportunity in my view.
Stu Dewar says
I agree with eveything you’ve said there, Jimmy.
Zara says
Sadly I think Jimmy is right in that it may not attract enough visitors to keep it alive. If it could in some way serve snacks and drinks I think it could really work. Don’t think this would need to be a comprehensive food and drink outlet as the toilet block conversion should provide lunch facilities etc, but if you could get a hot drink and a slice of cake you would increase the visitors to the museum which would also increase the potential donations. People are much more likely to be return visitors that way. I could be speaking naively here as it may cost more to get all the infrastructure sorted for this than could be raised by any profits / donations. However, I would expect that John has looked into this whole issue already as most museums provide refreshments.
Stu Dewar says
“Don’t think this would need to be a comprehensive food and drink outlet as the toilet block conversion should provide lunch facilities etc”
Is that project still a goer I wonder? The sign on the block showing the statement of intent has been up for a few years now but I’ve seen no sign of anything happening.
Zara says
Was still going ahead last summer when someone I know went to the planning meeting to represent local residents. If I remember correctly there were concerns from Natural England about how the building process could disrupt feeding of local birds. Don’t know what has happened since though.
Peter Wilson says
I checked and the planning restrictions on when building work could take place were removed so it would seem not to be a planning constraint holding back converting the loos into Pebbles.