Work at former Leaf site in Liverpool city centre caused controversy
Leaf in Bold Street in Liverpool city centre, pictured in 2019(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Replacements for historic windows at a Liverpool city centre restaurant that were ripped out and destroyed were deemed “unacceptable” and must be replaced. It was revealed last Autumn how Liverpool Council launched an investigation into changes to the front of the former Leaf building on Bold Street.
Restaurant chain Loungers – behind popular locations such as Cosy Club – submitted a bid to the city council to transform the venue with new signage and lights on the building’s frontage. However, work was done on the building which has breached the local authority’s rules on development.
This included the unauthorised replacement of the original Crittall windows with aluminium windows. These failed to accurately replicate the original design dating back to the 1930s.
This was undertaken by the building’s landlord, rather than Bristol-based Loungers which said it was “as disappointed as everyone else” by the window’s removal. Now a retrospective application has been made by Lead Properties Liverpool Ltd to replace the offending aluminium windows with like-for-like metal replicas of the original design.
A heritage statement set out how the removal of the original windows was undertaken following professional recommendation that the existing windows were beyond repair, and due to their size and their location at first floor they were deemed to be unsafe and non-compliant with modern safety guidelines.
The current application seeks to replace the new windows designed to replicate the original windows as found on site prior to their removal. The replacement windows and repair works to the façade have been informed by discussions with the city council.
Following the involvement of specialist window manufacturers, it is now proposed to replace the unauthorised windows with ones which replicate the style, material and overall aesthetic of the original windows as closely as possible. The replacement windows are proposed to follow the same pattern of windows as previously found on site, with a bow window to each outer bay, one bow window to the central bay and two flat windows to the remaining bays.
The window openings are to match those of the original windows. Following much discussion with manufacturers, the wave pattern glazing bar, which was an integral feature to the original windows, is proposed to be replicated on the new windows.
The fresh exterior of the Deco Lounge was unveiled in January with the new aluminium frames in place. Natalie and Graham Haywood, the building’s landlords and owners of the Leaf café, said in a statement: “As the landlords of 65-67 Bold Street in Liverpool, we took the decision to remove the existing windows after it was deemed they could no longer be repaired.
“In progressing this work, we acknowledge that poor professional advice was followed, both in relation to the need for planning permission and the specification of the replacement windows. This was an error, and we fully accept responsibility for it. We apologise for the concern this has caused to the local community and the new tenants, Loungers.”
