A search for an operator to run the St Luke’s ‘Bombed Out’ Church when it reopens later this year has begun.

The chosen party is expected to take over in December following the completion of essential repair work.

The successful applicant will need to show that they can run a financially viable programme of events with profits reinvested into the operation, maintenance and improvement of the site.

In return for a 21-year lease on the church, the winning operator will be required to allow public access to St Luke’s at no charge when events are being held.

A recent consultation on the future of St Luke’s found that the majority of people wanted to see limited development and continued events at the venue.

The work, jointly funded by Historic England and Liverpool City Council, includes the replacement of crumbling high level stonework alongside repairs to the tower, lower level stonework and perimeter railings.

Councillor Mark Norris, mayoral lead for heritage at Liverpool City Council, says: “We are absolutely committed to preserving and protecting St Luke’s. It is one of Liverpool’s crown jewels and is of huge cultural and historical value to the city.

“The huge response to the public consultation demonstrated how much affection there is for the church and people gave us a very clear message about the type of development and events that they wish to see.

“We now want to find the right operator that is sensitive to the very special nature of the site and can come up with an events programme that respects the surroundings and is consistent with the results of the public consultation.”

The Bombed Out Church Organisation, which coordinated events at St. Luke’s from 2007, revealed to Your Move last year that it is confident in retaining stewardship of the site following the repair works.

All interested parties have until 7 March to confirm their intent to submit an application with the deadline for final submissions on 27 May.

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