A ‘beam-signing’ ceremony to mark a major milestone in the refurbishment of St Anne Street police station took place earlier this month.
Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell and Chief Constable Serena Kennedy joined the team on site to sign the steel beams which have been installed on the new floor at Merseyside Police’s busiest operational station.
The ceremony marked the completion of the steel work for the additional floor which is being installed as part the major refurbishment project at the station, which got underway in February. Now the steel has been installed, work can begin on kitting out the police base which will now boast six floors and be able to house additional staff and facilities.
St Anne Street, which first opened for business in 1972, is in an important strategic location, attached to Merseyside Police’s busiest custody suite and next to the force’s state-of-the-art new headquarters, Rose Hill. Once completed it will boast a similar façade to Rose Hill, helping to create a ‘campus’ feel across the site, as well as being much more sustainable and economical to run.
It is expected the renovated station will be ready to re-open for business in May 2023 and will house teams including Local Policing, Protecting Vulnerable People, Investigations and Fingerprints.
The major renovation project is part of a 10 year plan designed to help Merseyside Police save approximately £250,000 a year on its running costs.
Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “Our police service needs modern facilities and equipment which will make them as effective and efficient as possible. The refurbishment of St Anne St is yet another example of the determination the Chief Constable and I share to provide the officers and staff of Merseyside Police with the best possible facilities to help them fight crime now and into the future.
“This ceremony is also an important day for the teams of designers, architects and builders who have been working so hard on this project since before planning permission was even granted and my thanks go to them for helping us to get to this point today.”
Serena Kennedy, Chief Constable said: “The refurbishment of St Anne Street police station puts the force right back at the heart of the community, with a modern building that is affordable and sustainable. It is vital that our officers and staff can work in buildings that are fit for purpose and suitable for policing in the 21st century.”
