Former Magistrates Court in Liverpool set to become boutique hotel

Plans to convert a former Magistrates Court in Liverpool into a 111-bedroom hotel have been unanimously approved by councillors.

At a Liverpool City Council planning committee meeting held yesterday (12 March), councillors agreed to develop both the original courthouse, which was built in 1855, and the fire station, which was built in 1897, into a boutique hotel.

Since the closure of the courthouse in 2015, plans were submitted to convert the site into a block of student accommodation, but these were dropped in 2021.

Now, under VSHF Developments Ltd’s proposal, the Grade II-listed courthouse is set to house 91 bedrooms.

Councillors also approved the construction of a five-storey new build, which will be used for an additional 20 bedrooms.

The hotel will feature a selection of room types, ranging from luxury suites in the old magistrate’s and judge’s offices to themed short stay rooms in the existing cells, which will be enlarged through the removal of a wall between two cells (pictured).

A public bar and restaurant, a series of function rooms in the former courtrooms, a residents gym and sauna, garden lounge and landscaped courtyard garden will also be available.

Image Credit: Projex/Liverpool City Council Planning Application Search