Potential purchaser in 'advanced discussions' over Mansion House

When was Mansion House put up for sale?

Mansion House, in Victoria Park, which has been the headquarters of Age UK Mid Mersey for more than 25 years, has been on the market for nearly two years, since January 2021.

The independent charity that helps local older people, said it was putting the building up for sale in order to provide a better service for those they support.

In 2021, Age UK Mid Mersey said they had "reluctantly" decided to sell The Mansion House, which sits in the surroundings of Victoria Park in St Helens.

The iconic building has been the charity’s head office for more than a quarter of a century and has been home to day centre sessions and activity classes as well as the base for befriending and helping hands services.

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At the same time, until recently, the site has provided much-needed funds through its trading activities including the Victoria Bistro, weddings and events and corporate room hire, and hosted the annual Mansion House Beer Festival.

Estate agents Avison Young have had the building listed for sale on its website. 

The Star understands there have been "advanced discussions" with a potential purchaser over Mansion House.

Further details in relation have not yet been disclosed.

About Mansion House

Sitting on Cowley Hill in the heart of Victoria Park, the Mansion House is steeped in history, and, built around 1849 by the late gentleman solicitor John Ansdell, has become an iconic building in the town.

The building's more recent uses have included a museum and the house and walled gardens were sold to Age UK Mid Mersey in 1994.

The building also featured in TV's Most Haunted series in 2016.

Age UK Mid Mersey stressed that the sale does not mean an end to their much-needed and much-loved services.

The charity, which was nominated in 2020 for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, decided that money used for the upkeep of the imposing building could be better spent on the community’s needs.

What Age UK said about the sale

Acting chief executive, Shelley Brown said in January 2021: “After a lot of soul searching over many months our Board of Trustees have taken the difficult decision to sell The Mansion House.

“We’ve been very proud to call it home for the last 25 years and in that time we’ve spent over £1million in maintaining and running the iconic building, with additional support from Heritage Lottery funding, and it has served our fundraising efforts through our trading activities.

“However, costs are increasing every year and we can no longer justify continuing to spend the charity’s money on the upkeep of this beautiful building when there is so much need within the community”.

She added: “When we leave the Mansion House we will be able to focus all our resources on the charity’s work and we will invest the proceeds of the sale in services for older people in the community.

“We are grateful for the help and support from St Helens Borough Council throughout our tenure of the site and hope to work closely with them to maximise the benefits of the sale of the Mansion House for the good of the community.

“I believe the Mansion House will benefit from having new owners who can invest in this great building. At the same time the charity can focus on its core purpose of helping older and vulnerable people.”

'In keeping with its surroundings'

When Mansion House went on the market, St Helens Council said that it, and owners Age UK, are keen to ensure any future use of the building "is in keeping with the character of its surroundings and the wider community use".

The local authority has held a restrictive covenant which was imposed in the original sale of Mansion House in 1993, which ensures the council will be involved in any future sale.

In 2021, Cllr Richard McCauley, St Helens Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and planning, said: “Positive discussions have taken place with Age UK about their proposed sale of the historic Mansion House and we are both keen to ensure that any future use of the building is in keeping with the character of its surroundings and the wider community use.

"The council holds the benefit of a restrictive covenant which was imposed on the property in the original sale to Age UK, meaning we’ll be involved in any future sale and use of the building.

“The Mansion House is an impressive building which I am sure will generate significant interest for alternative uses.

"As a council we will support the owners and any prospective buyers to ensure that the future use of the building is appropriate, recognising that this sale will allow Age UK to continue its invaluable charitable work for the benefit of our older residents.”