GUESS where this is? The green square with the giant petal street lights will be a clue. It’s Wolstenholme Square as you have never seen it.
Gone is the home of the world-famous Cream club as is the Kazimier - which today announced that, in the face of continuing uncertainty, it will be closing its doors forever on January 1, 2016.
In its place developers are unveiling plans for an exciting (their words) £40m plan to transform Liverpool’s forgotten (their words again) Wolstenholme Square.
By changing the way the warehouse-lined square looks at the moment the scheme will see the creation of residential and commercial spaces in buildings up to 10 storeys high.
We could never have envisioned the warmth of feeling The Kazimier Club has created since opening its doors seven years ago
There will, say the people behind the project, be a new home for Cream in the venture which, as yet, does not have planning permission.
Nevertheless, the Kazimier, which took over the abandoned Continental club as a mere "pop up project" in 2008, is calling time for good, despite being offered alternative premises.
Its directors says it's time to move on, that it wants to "finish on a high, in the same bricks and mortar as its birth"; that it is leaving the square on amicable terms after seven years.
They add thay they do not want the hugely successful venue to be seen as a victim in the regeneration of the area. Instead they are planning a nine month party. It will see a "bucket list of events and gigs which we have only dreamed about putting on until now", said Liam Naughton, one of the owners of the venue.
The Kazimier Garden, which it also owns, is not affected by the plans, he added.
Liam Naughton gets stuck in behind the bar in the Kazimier GardenA communique issued on behalf of developers the Elliot Group, which is behind the scheme, says: “Cream, one of the world’s most famous superclubs, is in talks to create a new venue, while the Kazimier has also offered their support on the ambitious plans to transform Wolstenholme Square.
“These exciting (again) proposals combine a mixture of uses with residential, commercial, leisure and retail spaces all contained within five blocks that wrap around three sides of the square.
"The plans would see the creation of more than 370 apartments provided in a number of size formats ranging from studios to two-bed and could create hundreds of jobs in the construction phase and in the shops, restaurants and cafes created in the scheme,” adds the statement, likely to provoke dismay from people who want the ‘historic square’ (the developers description) to remain more or less as it is.
There was uproar last year when a scheme was devised that would have seen the end of Cream and other well known night spots.
The latest project, designed by Liverpool architects Falconer Chester Hall, will see ‘the creation of new buildings ranging up to 10 storeys and a new passageway through from Wolstenholme Square to Seel Street to improve the area’s permeability’.
The proposals, which include ground floor commercial space for cafes, restaurants and shops, club space and serviced and residential apartments, represent an investment of more than £40m should planning permission be granted.
The public is now being asked to comment on the plans before a planning application is submitted. An exhibition at Cream’s home, Nation, is being held on Tuesday April 28 from 2pm to 8pm when the public can have a look and register their views.
Developer Elliot Lawless of Elliot Group said: “We’re not there yet as it’s vital that the square’s stakeholders get a chance to tell us what they think, but what’s currently on the table is exciting and imaginative. We’ll be bringing hundreds of construction jobs, providing new space for budding entrepreneurs and giving a real lift to what is a forgotten quarter of Ropewalks.
“The two clubs are emblematic brands for Liverpool and we’re keen to support them. We’ve had some very positive discussions with both operators and although in its very early stages, the project presents them with a huge opportunity to do something exciting.”
Cream’s Scott Barton added: “We have been working with the developers to ensure that the cultural hub of the square remains and that Cream, one of the city’s leading music venues, continue to thrive. These discussions remain ongoing and we’re excited about the plans.”
The Kazimier statement: 'A variety of new projects in various new spaces'
The Kazimier says: "After discussions with Elliot Group, the developer of Wolstenholme Square, we would like to make it public today that The Kazimier Club will be closing its doors as a venue for the last time on New Year's Day, 2016. This gives us nine months of events to celebrate the life of the venue and provide a fitting end. We have been offered a new site within their new development plans - talks are ongoing.
The Garden will not be affected, and a new long term lease is imminent.
The Kazimier club began as an artistic project. From the explosive theatrical parties of its early years to its current standing it has grown to infinitely more than a building - it's home to a brilliant team of staff, collaborators, promoters and the community in Liverpool and beyond that have contributed to the club in so many ways.
We would also like to thank the recent public support that has helped extend its life-span. We could never have envisioned the warmth of feeling The Kazimier Club has created since opening its doors seven years ago, nor could we have envisioned it surviving for as long as it has, but true to its original ethos we believe it needs to finish on a high, in the same bricks and mortar as its birth.
As this chapter has draws to a close, we want to make it clear that this is the end of a building - the original artistic core and the wider Kazimier team are moving forwards with a variety of new projects in various new spaces. Details of the special programme of events for the following nine months ahead will be released shortly…look out for updates on our website and social media."
