The Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre faced imminent closure due to financial problems
Dave Bridson, Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre manager inside one of the tunnels(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
A heritage centre that faced imminent closure “unless a miracle occurs” has received a “glimmer of hope” after raising more than £20k in just one week.
The Williamson Tunnels heritage centre is dedicated to preserving the legacy of one of Liverpool’s most fascinating historical mysteries: the strange underground labyrinth found underneath Edge Hill.
Wealthy tobacco merchant Joseph Williamson employed out-of-work labourers to create a maze of brick-arched underground tunnels and vaults for seemingly no reason between 1810 to 1840.
The tunnels were gradually filled with rubble during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and remained largely inaccessible until archaeological investigations were carried out in 1995.
Last month, the Joseph Williamson Society announced its heritage centre may be forced to close on June 1 due to financial difficulties and rent.
Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre manager David Bridson said: “The Centre has been operating on a peppercorn-lease for 25 years but following the failed sale of the freehold, a firm of property receivers are now in control of the site.
“They have offered the Society a new lease but are proposing a commercial rent that is beyond the Society’s means to pay. They have also offered to sell us the freehold but the asking price (£275,000) is also way out of our reach.”
An online fundraiser was set up with the aim of raising £12,000 for the Joseph Williamson Society to keep going. Donations stood at just £300 on Monday, May 26 – but just one week later, this number stands at an incredible £22,400, smashing its original goal.
Spokesman Sian MacDonald said: “A massive thank you to everyone for the support, social media shares and donations we have received in the last week.
“We are overwhelmed with the response to our appeal and are pleased to say currently over £21,000 has been raised to help save the Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre.
“It has been lovely to welcome many more visitors onsite and whilst our team are devastated at having to finish tours this weekend, we are clinging to the glimmer of hope from public interest in the preservation of the tunnels and it is not the end of our endeavour.
“The current funds are enough to cover the yearly lease; however, we are continuing to fundraise in the hope that the charity can obtain the freehold and secure this site for future generations.”
The Friends of the Williamson Tunnels, which is a separate organisation that operates sections of the tunnels under Mason Street and Paddington, remains unaffected by the news.
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