Liverpool based Social Enterprise PLACED has won a grant of £88,800 from Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to deliver Hidden Liverpool, an exciting city-wide project that will unlock the history behind some of Liverpool’s empty buildings in order to create a vision for the future of the city.

Hidden Liverpool will raise awareness of some of the fantastic buildings in the city that played a part in the history of Liverpool but that are currently lying empty. The project will bring empty spaces to life by inviting residents and visitors to share memories, stories and images of buildings that they worked in, visited and used but can no longer access, giving people a new insight into what lies behind the closed doors.

These memories will form the starting point for thinking what the future of these buildings could be in today’s city, developing ideas and generating debate about the future for these hidden gems.

The project, which will commence this summer, will include an interactive website, public exhibitions, design workshops, a debate series, drop-in community sessions and family days with activities running over the course of a year, providing opportunities for residents of all ages to get involved.

Hidden Liverpool will also draw on the creativity of our young residents, with 6th form students being invited to work with the PLACED volunteer team - professionals including architects, landscape architects, interior designers, urban designers, as well as staff and students from John Moores University. Students will work in competition to develop innovate ways of bringing buildings back to life whilst gaining an AS Qualification.

There will be a wide range of opportunities to get involved and a more detailed programme of events will be available shortly. PLACED will be looking for volunteers including residents with an interest in the city, design professionals, university students and local businesses to help deliver activities, from walking tours to workshops.

Commenting on the award, Jo Harrop, PLACED Director, said: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund to enable us to deliver this exciting project. The city has a fantastic built heritage and a rich history which the project will allow us to celebrate and promote, whilst asking residents to think creatively about the role our empty buildings could play in the future of our city. People in Liverpool are passionate about their city and we have already had so much support from stakeholders and residents. We are really looking forward to delivering the programme.”

Sara Hilton, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said: “Living in a vibrant and bustling city, it’s often easy to forget the wonderful history that’s right on your doorstep. Projects like Hidden Liverpool will encourage local people to explore and enjoy the rich built heritage of Liverpool, uncover hidden stories and think about how to create a sustainable future for these currently derelict sites. We at the Heritage Lottery Fund are delighted to be supporting PLACED and can’t wait to see the results.”