Essential works to future proofing a City gem

ONE of the grandest ceilings in the country is getting some much needed TLC to futureproof its heritage for residents and visitors. For the 1st time in more than 70 years, the ceiling in Liverpool's St George's Hall's Great Hall is being lovingly restored by a team of specialists. They are scouring every inch of the barrel vaulted ceiling to identify and remove loose paint work, check the plaster is in good condition, carry out remedial works and re-paint any areas which need some additional attention. As 1 of the most iconic buildings in the world, St George's Hall is a focal point for heritage and the essential works will ensure it remains the jewel in the City's crown and a venue residents can continue to be proud of.

Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:- "St George's Hall is a much-loved City gem which attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year including tourists, those attending events and those couples and their guests celebrating a marriage or civil partnership. With any building of this age, it's inevitable areas are going to need a facelift or renovation work, and it's imperative we take action as soon as possible to remedy the issues and ensure the Hall is in impeccable condition. This work really is an investment in the Hall's future; we want it to look its best so that we can continue to attract events and activities to the venue, the money from which will be reinvested in the Hall. I look forward to seeing the final results and to the doors reopening to this stunning room once again."

Hankinson Group; who are a specialist conservation company, based in Birkenhead; has a team dedicated to scaling the 82-feet in order for them to work on the 145 feet long, 72 feet wide ceiling. The restoration is expected to be completed by the end of May and is costing around ₤250,000, using City Council ring-fenced funding designated for improvement works at the Hall.

Head of Heritage, Development and Preservation, Alan Smith, said:- "This work currently being undertaken at the Hall sums up what my job is all about;– championing and protecting key historic assets which help us celebrate the City's heritage sector to a wider audience. I've spent a huge amount of time over the past decade transforming St George's Hall into a major event space and wedding venue; and quite simply, people come to the venue because of how it looks. I'm biased, but there really isn't anything out there that compares to what we have on offer, and as a result we can't ignore it when restoration work needs to take place. I'm delighted this project is under way and we can ensure the Hall maintains its world class standing."

Despite the ongoing work, the rest of the Grade I listed building remains open to visitors. To find out more about what's going on at the Hall, or to book tickets for The History Whisperer experience, visit:- StGeorgesHallLiverpool.Co.UK.

Conservatives cannot be trusted on fracking, says Bill Esterson MP

BILL Esterson MP says the Conservatives cannot be trusted on fracking as he pressed Government Ministers in Parliament to confirm their opposition to the controversial technique. Mr Esterson, MP for Sefton Central and Shadow Minister for Business and Industry, urged Ministers to give assurances that fracking would continue to be ruled out by the Government. An effective moratorium on fracking in the UK has been in place since 2019 due to safety concerns caused by earth tremors. Mr Esterson said the Government could provide assurance by confirming they would not allow any more fracking, alongside upping spending on tidal energy and ending the opposition to onshore wind.

Mr Esterson said:- "My constituents in Formby have experienced test drilling and they have very real safety concerns. I can assure the Minister there is widespread community opposition in my constituency to fracking. So will he give my constituents certainty that fracking is ruled out. I'll tell him how he can do it. He can end the moratorium on onshore wind and he can also give full-throated support to tidal energy, both of which are very realistic options in the Liverpool City Region."

Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Minister Greg Hands MP responded to say the Government had announced a dedicated pot for tidal energy in the CFD (Contracts for Difference) and that the policy on fracking was unchanged.

Mr Esterson said:- "The Minister mentioned the Conservative manifesto, well no 1 trusts the Government on the promises they made in the manifesto. That is why my constituents want to hear the Minister give a firm commitment to the ban on fracking. It seemed to me during questions in Parliament yesterday that far too many MPs on the Conservative benches would be more than happy to see residents in Formby have fracking on their doorstep. Fracking is not the answer to our energy security needs. It would talk years to get shale gas on stream even it were safe and it is not. Some experts believe there is less than a decade's worth of recoverable shale gas in the UK. So that is not the answer. The Minister ignored my calls for support for tidal which could power a million homes in the Liverpool City Region and create thousands of jobs. He said nothing about onshore wind. The Government needs to invest in renewables which they have failed to do for much of the last 12 years."