Office sale secures £1 million for force
Merseyside’s police and crime commissioner (PCC) will generate more than £1 million for her force by selling the building where her office is based.
Jane Kennedy says the sale of Allerton Police Station, where her team has been based for the past five years, will raise “vital funds” for Merseyside Police.
The building, situated on Rose Lane in Liverpool, was put on the market last October in partnership with the region’s fire and rescue service.
More than 200 expressions of interest were received and 24 formal offers were submitted by the March deadline – but Ms Kennedy announced on Thursday (August 30) that is has been sold to housing association Liverpool Mutual Homes.
Merseyside Police has made cuts of £103 million since 2010 and has an estimated savings target of £18 million over the next three years.
The sale will raise just over £1 million for the force and will save more than £50,000 a year in annual running costs.
The PCC’s office will now temporarily move to a vacant space in Wavertree Road police station, before relocating to Mather Avenue police station in 12 months’ time when preparation work has been completed.
The former site had been closed to the public since 2011 and was only housing the PCC’s office.
Ninety-two per cent of people who responded to a survey by Ms Kennedy supported selling older policing buildings that were not fit for the modern service.
Ms Kennedy said: “In partnership with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority, I have accepted the highest unconditional bid which enables us to release the properties quickly, ensuring precious funds can now be redirected towards reducing the capital costs to Merseyside Police and the fire service.
“My office will now relocate to empty space in Wavertree Road police station while a permanent base for my team is prepared at Mather Avenue. This will also reduce the annual running costs of the police service – saving an extra £56,000 year on year which can be directed into frontline policing.”
