A new operator has been chosen by Liverpool City Council to reopen the Bombed Out Church.

The Grade II*-listed St Luke’s, which suffered a direct hit in the May Blitz of 1941, closed in 2015 to allow a £500,000 restoration.

“St Luke’s Bombed Out Church Ltd” is to be given a 30-year lease to run St Luke’s as a “distinctive space for arts and events that supports the vulnerable and provides opportunities for volunteering”.

The appointment follows a public consultation on the future use of the much-loved city centre war memorial, which attracted over 6,000 responses.

A report to the Liverpool City Council’s cabinet next Friday (19 May) will recommend the “community first vision” set out by Bombed Out Church Ltd be approved and that the roofless premises be reopened to the public as soon as possible.

Bombed Out Church Ltd has since confirmed on social media that the garden will reopen in June, with the interior reopening in July.

As well as overseeing the repairs, the city council has also committed to install external feature lighting later this year to enhance the appearance of St Luke’s as a prominent historic landmark.

Bombed Out Church Ltd has also set out a plan to invest in the venue which, subject to heritage funding, could include reinstating the balcony in the nave, mezzanine floors in the vestries and potentially a glazed canopy in the chancel with the nave remaining open to the elements.

Ambrose Reynolds, director of Bombed Out Church Ltd, which has been running events at the church since 2007, says he aims to ensure it will continue to be primarily a heritage attraction, war memorial and creative events space.

Exhibitions, theatre, music, classic cinema, weddings, parties, festivals and corporate events will also still take place.

Ambrose adds: “I’m over the moon to have been given the chance to continue to operate St Luke’s.

“I want to make it a space that everyone can enjoy. I can’t wait to get going and we’ve already got some great events lined up to host in the gardens.”

A particular emphasis is to be placed upon inclusivity including working with the homeless, people in recovery from drug and alcohol misuse, mental illness and veterans with appropriate links to existing service providers.

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