Latest news with #KingswoodColomendyLtd
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Council takes over much-loved outward bound centre
Liverpool City Council has formally taken over the keys to a popular North Wales outdoor education site, after its tenant collapsed. It was confirmed at the start of this year, after seven decades providing educational away days for young people, Colomendy would close with immediate effect. Tenant Kingswood Colomendy Ltd and its parent company, Inspiring Learning Ltd, both ceased trading and administrators were appointed. The council will now begin the process of securing the long-term future of the site in Loggerheads, near Mold, where generations of children stayed. Prior to entering administration, Kingswood – which is expected to be dissolved later this year – undertook a period of marketing aiming to sell the site but a buyer was not found. The council purchased the 130 acre (0.5km) location in 1957, which includes a Grade II listed manor house, from which the site takes its name, and was used as staff accommodation but fell into dilapidation. The main building is Glyn Alyn, which opened as a boarding school in 1969 with five tower blocks providing dormitories. All buildings require comprehensive refurbishment, according to the council, which also said a series of single storey timber dorms have "exceeded their life expectancy and require repair/modernisation or demolition". Councillor Nick Small, cabinet member for growth and economy, said Colomendy "means a lot to many people in the city". "People who have grown up in the city will have spent some time there," he said. However, he said it was important the authority now did the right thing for the taxpayer. The council has no money to cover any costs associated with Colomendy. It is estimated the city will use its corporate contingency budget to cover £600,000 including business rates liability, security along with utilities and management costs. If the city council retains the site, valued at about £220,000, beyond this financial year, capital investment would be needed. The council will no longer receive the annual rent of £81,307 until it has another tenant. The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands the council's preferred option is for an outdoor education firm to take on the lease. It is expected the full appraisal and handing over of terms to a preferred bidder could take up to 12 months Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Liverpool City Council
Leader Live
12-05-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Future of Colomendy outdoor centre near Mold to be decided
Colomendy, in Loggerheads, near Mold, was originally a site for evacuee children from Liverpool during World War Two. After the war the site was transferred to Liverpool Council, with a covenant which retained its use for the benefit of the city's children. After seven decades providing educational away days for young people, it was confirmed in March the site would close with immediate effect. In January, Kingswood Colomendy Ltd, the site's tenant, and its parent company, Inspiring Learning Ltd, both ceased trading and administrators were appointed. The city council issued a 30 year lease for the site in 2007. Now the local authority is to formally begin the process of securing the long-term future of the location in North East Wales. Administrators appointed to the business have confirmed the lease will be returned to Liverpool Council in a process known as disclaiming. This will be signed off when cabinet members meet at Liverpool Town Hall next month. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands that since March, the keys have been handed over to the city on an informal basis. An official options appraisal will now begin for the land. Representatives on both sides of the border have told the LDRS previously how they hope the site can be revived for the benefit of young people in Merseyside and North Wales. Carolyn Thomas, North Wales member of the Welsh Parliament, was previously chair of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) partnership – where Colomendy is located – and said a future could be found for the site that would benefit all parties. She said: 'Colomendy lies within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, hopefully soon to be re-designated as a national park. It is situated next to Loggerheads country park, a tourism hot spot and has been used for generations from Merseyside. MORE NEWS 'I often meet families at Loggerheads who are reminiscing, bringing their children and grandchildren, to relive and share their experiences. It has an employment and economic benefit to the local economy and has farms. 'It would be great to maintain it as an outdoor education facility but there are also other ideas. I would encourage local authorities to engage with Liverpool Council now the lease for the site has been returned.' The LDRS understands it would be the preferred option of Liverpool Council for an outdoor education firm to take on the lease. It is expected the full appraisal and handing over of terms to a preferred bidder could take up to 12 months.
