Work began in January 2010

The vision for Phase 3 of the Beacon Project, to refurbish all the community space in the building, demanded a great leap of faith. As a Grade II listed building there were many restrictions and architectural considerations, but the Church Council decided to give the go ahead to apply to the Communtiy Buildings Big Lottery Fund for the maximum grant of £500K. We were successful in Februatry 2008 in getting through Stage 1 and were invited to submit a Stage 2 application, which needed to be completed by September 2008. The lottery awarded us the full Development Grant of £25K to assist us in the preparation of the architectural plans, surveys, capital project delivery plan and business plan. We have also been successful in receiving a grant of £10K from Merseyside Expanding Horizons to cover the cost of some community consultation and business planning. This enabled us to employ Social Regeneration Consultants to assist us in creating the Business Plan.

Housing Market Renewal Initiative for South Sefton has subsequently identified Linacre Mission as “an important community building, not only in terms of the range of activities it facilitates, but also in its latent capacity to expand. The building has been identified as an important land mark within the heart of the Linacre Village and is a ‘listed building’. In view of its importance, the council will encourage high quality interior and exterior improvements to maximise its capacity and use as a community focus.”

All funding for this phase, costing £875K had to be in place before we could begin work and by November 2009 we had successfully  obtained all the grants necessary. Paul Smith & Co contractors were appointed and began work on the first floor on 11th January 2010.

Phase 3 will provide:

• A main platform lift to the Games Hall level and then up to the Albert Walker Hall
• A platform lift down four steps into the youth area
• A new set of toilets and foyer area on the first floor
• Total refubishment of the Seaforth meeting Room, youth lounge and Child & Family Connect Office
• A massive refurbishment of the Games Hall, exposing the original beams and lantern roof
• Renovation of 3 staircases
• Windows in Games Hall and Seaforth Meeting Room have been reglazed and wire grills replaced with polycarbonate sheeting.
• All areas have new heating and lighting and a fire alarm system is being installed

Throughout the work we have been able to accommodate all groups on the ground floor, albeit using a smaller area for each. On 25th June 2010 the first floor was completed and we are now operating on this floor while work begins on the ground floor.