Jul 6 2011
by David Bartlett, Heswall News

THE Government has approved the sale of a Grade II-listed former adult education centre in Wirral, which closed after racking up debts of £1.6m.

Liverpool Council spent £284,000 subsidising Burton Manor, in Neston, last year, even though only 158 adult students from the city were taught at the college, which offers residential courses.

It closed at the end of March, after the council told governors it was cutting its budget by 25% in 2011 and a further 25% the year after.

But the council needed government approval before it could sell the Grade II-listed building which comes with extensive grounds.

Business Secretary Vince Cable has now authorised the sale, and Liverpool council hopes to sell it privately or by auction.

Talks are being held with the University of Chester in a bid to continue the educational use of the building, which was originally owned by Henry Neville Gladstone, third son of former Prime Minister William Gladstone.

Burton Manor opened in 1948 and offered courses ranging from photography to literature, music and dance, at evenings and on residential weekends.

Its establishment involved a number of public authorities, including Birkenhead, Wallasey, Bootle, Cheshire, Lancashire, the University of Liverpool and Liverpool Council.

But the city council is the only one which continued to support it by agreeing to underwrite its annual deficit.

It became less popular in recent times because it only offers basic accommodation, compared with more luxurious venues available elsewhere.

The venue requires considerable investment before it could be brought into use by the university. Cllr Nick Small, head of the college’s governors, said the council hopes to sell the building as soon as possible.

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

Closing Burton Manor was repeatedly suggested by council officials each year as they went through the budget-setting process.

Supporters of the premises believe it has struggled in recent times because of a lack of investment and an unwillingness by city officials to properly use its facilities.

The college ran at a loss of £778 per day in the 2009-10 financial year, creating a deficit of £284,225.

In the same year, the number of people who took courses at Burton Manor was 2,190, only 7% from Liverpool. In recent years, it developed a base for cottage industries with the University of Chester, and won a Lottery grant to revamp its historic greenhouses.