Much-needed repair works are to be carried out on a historic synagogue in South Liverpool, paving the way for it to be brought back into use.
The Mayoral Cabinet has approved plans for the City Council and English Heritage to invest more than £70,000 in breathing new life into Greenbank Synagogue, Greenbank Lane.
The grade II* listed building has been on the national Heritage at Risk register since 2010, and the urgent repairs will help protect the future of the building by improving its structural integrity and making it weather proof.
English Heritage is providing a ‘Historic Building Grant’ of £51,417 for the project, with the city council contributing £20,000.
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, said: “Greenbank Synagogue is an important, historic building, but it has become a worsening grot spot within the Sefton Park area in recent years. It’s great news that this vital work is being carried out. It will mean a brighter future for the building, assisting in its removal from the Buildings at Risk register and bringing it back into beneficial use for the local community.
“We hope this work will give the synagogue a new lease of life, help make it a hub of activity once more and secure its place for future generations to enjoy. I’m very much looking forward to the start of this new, positive chapter in the building’s history.”
Greenbank Synagogue was erected in 1936 and leased to the Liverpool New Hebrew Congregation. It was occupied by the Greenbank Drive Hebrew Congregation until 2007, when they vacated the building.
Liverpool City Council and English Heritage were approached by the trustees of Greenbank Drive Hebrew Congregation last year over the possibility of grant funding to repair and maintain the synagogue, and have worked closely with the trustees to deliver the plans.
Work is due to start this month and is scheduled to finish later this year. Discussions are now taking place over how the building will be used in the future.
