St Luke’s Church needs imagination, better PR and events which “honour the roots of the building” to have a successful future, according to the Ropewalks business community.

Liverpool City Council’s consultation into the future of the building, known locally as the Bombed Out Church, ended this week.

While the Council collates responses Your Move asked businesses within the Ropewalks area which surrounds the church what they believe should become of it.

Nisha Katona, owner of Bold Street’s Mowgli restaurant: “The bombed out church could be the cultural capstone of Liverpool’s bohemian quarter​. Imagination and courage need to be ploughed into the venue to not only maintain its iconic architectural status but also to establish it firmly as a beacon for culture and art events for the people of Liverpool.”

Bretta Adlen, co-owner of Bretta and Co deli and bistro on Heathfield Street: “Transforming the Bombed Out Church into a multi-use venue, available for both public and private events, would ensure that more people could benefit from the building than if it was to be used for a single purpose.  Whatever it’s used for, this needs to be a development that can be work in all weathers; a glass roof would keep the respectful atmosphere, but keep the wind and rain out!”

Otto Mellouki, owner of Bold Street eateries Kasbah, Bakchich and Le Coq: “[The Bombed Out Church] is a living war memorial and creative community hub and I’d like to see it stay that way. However, it does need to be well maintained, secure and could do with more PR! At the end of the day it’s a heritage of our city.”

Julie Goodwin, director of Uptown Funk 2 on Hanover Street: “St Luke’s Church is an important Liverpool landmark and like most residents and business owners within the city, I welcomed the recent investment to preserve it. It’s a piece of our history and heritage and I think the challenge for the council is to find a way to continue to pay to maintain this landmark building so we can hold on to St Luke’s as a well-loved public space to be enjoyed by generations to come.”

Peter Schriewersmann, chair of the Ropewalks Residents’ Association: “We believe, that – whoever will run this prestigious venue going forwards – the heritage of the church itself and the local community need to be taken into account when setting boundaries for what functions, exhibitions and events are considered desirable for St Luke’s going forwards and which are not.
“To give an example for events that we see in stark contradiction with a sustainable future for St Luke’s (and the local community), we would identify club nights – inviting the wrong kind of clientele into this fragile building, creating a significant noise burden on the community and generally not honouring the roots of this amazing building.
“On top of this, transparency and accountability (especially in regards to the running of St Luke’s) must be ensured as part of any future model – ensuring that money raised is also invested back into the upkeep of St Luke’s.”

Earlier this month it was revealed that over 5,000 people had shared their views on the church.

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