Bootle & Southport
Sefton Council
c.£2m
Bootle and Southport Town Halls are two prominent Grade II listed civic buildings in Sefton. This circa £2m refurbishment and decarbonisation project for Sefton Council set out to improve their energy performance while protecting the historic fabric and architectural character of each building.
Supported by the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, the works combined restoration and thermal upgrades to historic windows with improved insulation and building services.
BTP acted as Lead Architect, providing architectural, conservation, cost control and contract administration services from initial design through to completion.
Led by Senior Conservation Architect Adrian Pearson, we developed the outline and detailed designs, prepared Heritage Impact Assessments and secured Listed Building Consent and Building Regulations approval.
We also managed the tender process and worked closely with Sefton Council and specialist heritage contractor Trinity Renovations during construction. Regular inspections, site meetings and monthly valuations helped maintain the quality of the conservation work and keep the project on track.
The central challenge was to improve energy efficiency without compromising the features that give the town halls their character. We developed a tailored retrofit approach for each building, considering where existing fabric could be repaired and how thermal improvements could be introduced sensitively.
Historic timber sash and casement windows were repaired and overhauled, retaining existing joinery wherever possible and replacing defective components where necessary. Draught-proofing, easing and adjustment improved their operation, while internal and external redecoration protected the repaired timber.
Glazing upgrades were coordinated with the proportions and detailing of the existing windows. Slim-profile insulated glazing units were incorporated where required, with secondary glazing installed in selected locations to reduce heat loss while retaining the historic external appearance.
At Bootle Town Hall, the large stained-glass window in the ballroom required specialist attention. The glass was repaired, re-leaded and reframed, with secondary glazing added to improve thermal performance and help protect this significant decorative feature.
Additional roof insulation was introduced within accessible ceiling voids, alongside internal insulation that preserved the historic external façades. Careful detailing considered moisture movement, ventilation and the risk of decay, ensuring that energy improvements remained compatible with the existing construction.
Heating and ventilation improvements included mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, supplying fresh air while reducing heat lost through ventilation. Coordinating these interventions within working civic buildings required attention to access, sequencing and their continued operation throughout the works.
Restored windows, carefully integrated glazing upgrades and discreet insulation improve the town halls’ thermal performance while protecting their listed fabric. Together with more efficient building services, these measures support Sefton Council’s decarbonisation ambitions and the continued use of two much-loved civic buildings.
The completed project has improved the thermal performance of both town halls while conserving their historic windows, architectural detailing and external character.
The restored ballroom stained glass at Bootle demonstrates how specialist conservation and energy improvements can work together, protecting an important feature while adapting it for continued use.
Delivered on time and within budget, the project achieved a client satisfaction score of 96% and supports Sefton Council’s ambition to achieve net zero carbon by 2030. It shows how a carefully considered retrofit can help historic civic buildings remain useful and more energy efficient while retaining the fabric that makes them distinctive.
Trinity Renovations
