Liverpool Council has been given the go-ahead to sell a Grade II-listed former adult education centre that was closed after it fell into £1.6 million of debt.

Burton Manor, in Neston in the Wirral, is to be sold either privately or by auction, after the council received the necessary permission from central government to off-load the loss-making property. Some £284,000 was spent by the city council on subsidising the centre last year, despite it only hosting 158 students.

The final permission for the sale had to come from the Business Secretary, Vince Cable, himself, but it is now thought that a number of other local further and higher educational establishments are among parties that are showing interest in the possible sale. There has also been interest expressed in the property from developers, who have spotted the potential for it to become a hotel or flats.

City councillor, Nick Small, who also chairs Burton Manor’s governors, said the council is hoping to secure a quick sale.

“It is good news that the council can move forward on this,” he explained. “Burton Manor is a magnificent building, but unfortunately we could no longer justify keeping it open to offer adult education courses.”

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