Liverpool is home to many educational institutions where people from across the UK and beyond come to study. Many of its schools, lyceums, and universities have a long history, with roots stretching back centuries. Today, we’re focusing on the story of the Liverpool Lyceum. Read on to discover the history of this institution at liverpool1.one.
First, There Was a Library
The Lyceum’s story begins not as a school, but as a library. In 1752, a literary club used to meet at the home of a schoolmaster, William Everard. Its members would gather to discuss reviews, periodicals, and books that they shared amongst themselves.
In 1758, the Liverpool Library was formally established. Consequently, the books, which had been kept in a large chest in Everard’s living room, were moved to different premises. As the collection grew over the next two years, the decision was made to construct a purpose-built building for the library.
The project was designed by the architect Thomas Harrison. Each of the library’s 892 subscribers paid 12 guineas towards the construction. This money was used to acquire a 50-year lease on the land. In total, the library’s construction cost £11,000 and took two years to complete.
The Lyceum in Operation
In December 1802, the Lyceum officially opened in the newly constructed building. However, it also housed the library and a newsroom, both of which operated as separate institutions.
The library was situated in a circular room and, by 1807, contained over 10,000 volumes. The newsroom consisted of a coffee room and a reading room where visitors could access provincial, London, and Irish newspapers, as well as magazines, reviews, and maps.
Other rooms in the building were used for lectures and committee meetings. In time, the newsroom expanded, leading to the creation of the “Lyceum Gentlemen’s Club”.
A Change of Fortune
In 1942, the library was closed, and its collection was transferred to the Liverpool Public Library. Ten years later, the club also relocated to new premises. This left the Lyceum building without its original tenants, but not for long. In 1952, it was designated a Grade II listed building.
Despite this, in 1971, an application was submitted to Liverpool City Council to have the Lyceum demolished. The proposal was to clear the site for a shopping development and to expand the city’s railway station. The move prompted a “Save the Lyceum” petition.
The building was saved from demolition. In 1984, the Lyceum was purchased for £320,000, with plans to convert it into the city’s main Post Office headquarters and a philatelic museum. Unfortunately, these plans never came to fruition.
Instead, part of the building was leased to the Post Office, while various retail outlets and cafés also began to operate from the site.
The Post Office branch closed in 2004, leaving The Co-operative Bank as the sole tenant. The building subsequently changed hands several times. When the bank ceased its operations there in 2017, the historic structure was left completely empty. More recently, the Lyceum has been given a new lease of life as a Chinese restaurant.
Exterior and Interior
The building’s exterior is designed in a grand Neoclassical style. It is constructed from ashlar stone, and the main entrance features four large, six-panel doors. In the 1980s, the exterior was restored, and the soot that had accumulated on the stonework over the years was carefully cleaned away.
The interior of the building was no less beautiful. The newsroom featured a segmental vaulted ceiling and an arched recess with decorative friezes. The circular library room, meanwhile, was crowned with an elegant dome.
And that is the story of the Liverpool Lyceum. We hope you found this article insightful and have learned something new about our city’s rich history.