Work is set to start to renovate the historical buildings from where a North Liverpool charity has served the local community for the last 35 years, thanks to a £500,000 grant from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

Rotunda, which is based in Great Mersey Street in Kirkdale, provides education, training and skills to adults in the local community.

The funding will be used to revamp the Grade II listed buildings where Rotunda is based, in a sensitive restoration of what are believed to be the last remaining set of Georgian terraces north of the city centre.

The £500,000 grant enabling this work to be carried out comes from the Local Growth Fund (LGF) which is awarded to the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and then invested through the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Strategic Investment Fund.

Rotunda engages with 2500 people in the community every year and supports people into jobs in hospitality and events, IT, and health and social care amongst others. It believes in removing barriers to education, adopting a grassroots approach to career building courses and vocational qualifications by offering childcare in its onsite nursery and support with counselling, mental health and wellbeing as well as legal and debt advice.

Councillor Kate Groucutt, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Deputy Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economy and the Third Sector, said:

“This funding will not only restore and preserve the bricks and mortar of the building itself, but will also allow Rotunda to provide access to learning and support to more people in the local community, as it has done for more than three decades. 

The city region still faces longstanding socio-economic challenges and inequalities, especially in skills and employment as we deal with the impact of COVID-19. That is why I am committed to deliver a people focused recovery as part of our wider economic recovery plan to Build Back Better.”

Maxine Ennis, Chief Executive of Rotunda said:

“Our building is symbolic of the power of the community. We are delighted to receive this funding as it will enable us to safeguard the cultural heritage of the city by bringing our beautiful building back to its former glory. This investment will allow us to reach a wider audience of potential learners and employers to engage with which will contribute to the upskilling of the community.”

Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government Simon Clarke MP said:

“Through the Local Growth Fund, this Government is investing in projects which are making a real difference in our communities by delivering long-lasting benefits in terms of jobs, skills and economic growth.

“This funding for Rotunda will restore and preserve the rich, cultural heritage of these buildings, and will enable this important charity to support more people in the community with access to further education and training.”

Work is expected to begin on the project in early October and once completed Rotunda hopes to be able to take on a total of 185 additional learners across the following 5 years and increase the number of students supported into further training/education. The charity also builds relationships with local employers providing opportunities for learners to gain valuable experience.

To find out more about the courses Rotunda has on offer and how to access them go to: https://www.therotunda.org.uk/