Merseyside Police's former headquarters in Liverpool city centre has been sold for £17 million, clearing the path for a major waterfront redevelopment. Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell confirmed the sale of Canning Place to Homes England, the government's housing and regeneration agency, ending the landmark building's long policing history and enabling a transformative project.
Regeneration Plans
Homes England will now hire a consultancy team and conduct consultations and public engagement to develop a comprehensive regeneration strategy tailored to local needs. The proposals, expected to be finalized in the coming months, envision a premium, mixed-use residential-led development featuring new housing, a hotel, retail outlets, leisure amenities, and green spaces.
Transparent Sale Process
The PCC's office stated that the sale followed a rigorous, transparent disposal process. The site attracted significant developer interest during its nine-week market listing, generating 13 proposals. Homes England was selected as the preferred bidder after a thorough evaluation using a nine-criteria scoring framework that included tender value, design excellence, social value, development team capability, and environmental sustainability. These criteria incorporated feedback from residents, businesses, and stakeholders gathered during a prior consultation by the PCC, as well as specifications from Liverpool City Council's planning department.
Reinvestment in Policing
The proceeds from the sale will be reinvested into modernizing and upgrading Merseyside Police's premises and facilities. Commissioner Spurrell said: "Completing the sale of Canning Place is a hugely significant moment. The site was part of Merseyside Police's story for more than 40 years, but it was no longer suitable for a modern, forward-looking police service. This sale allows us to reinvest a substantial amount back into our policing estate, delivering fit-for-purpose stations and facilities that support our officers and staff."
Prime Waterfront Location
Danielle Gillespie, executive regional director (North West) at Homes England, commented: "Canning Place is an exceptional site at the heart of Liverpool's iconic waterfront. This acquisition exemplifies how the public sector can collaborate to unlock redevelopment of public assets, boosting housing and regeneration. We look forward to working with Liverpool City Council and stakeholders to bring this exciting project forward."
Canning Place originally opened in 1977 and served as Merseyside Police's headquarters for over four decades. The seven-floor building spans more than 135,000 square feet, with an annex, car park, and gatehouse. It overlooks the Albert Dock and sits next to Liverpool One bus station and the Liverpool ONE retail destination. The police force moved to its new headquarters, Rose Hill, in March 2022, after which Canning Place housed various police units and served as an operational hub for major events like Eurovision 2023.
In 2021, the Conservative government allocated £2 million to explore a new Beatles attraction in the city centre, with Canning Place considered as a potential site. However, the current plans indicate a different direction for the site.
