Future of historic park and golf course now ‘secured’ after 123-year deal

The long-term future of a hugely popular Merseyside park and golf course has now been secured after Knowsley Council confirmed a 123-year deal.

Knowsley Cabinet approved the transfer of the lease to Oneday Ltd following the successful completion of a two-year delivery plan which saw a number of improvements at Bowring Park. A council spokesman said the deal would help secure the long-term future of the “historic” and popular green space.

Bowring Park was gifted to the City of Liverpool by William B Bowring in 1906 under the agreement that it would be “used for general recreational purposes….for the benefit of the inhabitants of the City”. In 1997 the park was transferred from Liverpool City Council and this facilitated the establishment of the charity Bowring Park Trust, of which Knowsley Council became the sole corporate trustee and freeholder of the entire park.

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A partnership between Knowsley Council and the National Heritage Lottery Fund in 2017 resulted in significant investment of funds in the park. This included a £3.686m restoration project and refurbishment of the historic stables and coach house and providing a community center for events and activities.

However, just a year later, the future of the park was thrown into doubt after the company that managed Bowring Park Golf Course went into administration. In an attempt to bring some stability, Knowsley Council have taken the decision to take over the running of day-to-day operations until a new managing agent can be found.

This resulted in the local authority approving a two-year administrative lease to Oneday Ltd, with the possibility of an extension. That two-year contract has now ended and Oneday has been given a new 123-year lease to look after the park. In particular, the local authority still holds the freehold of the land.

The agreement includes a one-day agreement to maintain Bowring Park, deliver an agreed community engagement program and provide an on-site food and beverage offering. Oneday has also committed to completing a restoration project, opening a community cafe, developing the golf course and creating new jobs.

Oneday also hopes to deliver their master plan ‘GROW’, which outlines the long-term vision for the park and includes creating a sustainability campus for the Liverpool City Region, as well as achieving Green Flag status for Bowring Park.

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