Nerve 9 - The Belve is Back!

The Belve is Back!

A Victorian gem has been revitalised for a new generation. Serial regenerator and building-hugger Tom Calderbank reports.

The Belvedere Boys Club (known to generations as ‘The Belve’) on Miles Street, L8, is a Liverpool institution. Indeed, it was built in 1898 as St Paul’s Institute, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of St Paul’s Church on Belvedere Road. The Church, and the school bearing the name - also built on Miles Street – have long since and lamentably been demolished. The inscription on the foundation stone of The Belve is the only public sign that St Paul was ever a name in the area. For over 100 years, The Belve played a positive part in the lives of generations of the local community. Like its sister club The Florrie, as well as plenty of others in the area, it offered loads of leisure and recreational opportunities. It gave us all something to do, to play, to train and socialise. All good things must come to an end, however, and this was no exception. When Liverpool hit the skids, the impact was felt everywhere, by everyone. Though the club struggled on, the writing was seemingly on the wall.

Things looked really bleak for centre 3 years ago. It had become a decrepit and sorry sight, and its youth club services had stopped due to Council cutbacks. Without an obvious use, and with the incoming provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) rendering us obsolete, it was clearly crunch time. That’s when I got involved, and the idea of ‘The New Belve’ was conceived. Following a series of meetings with relevant parties, a community-led development process was begun which has culminated, 3 years later, in a most remarkable victory. Thanks mainly to citizen action (and a massive cash injection from the Sport England ‘Active England’ programme), The Belvedere Community Activity Centre is about to make an impact. Seconds out, round 800…

The New Belve is a work of art. A seamless integration of the old and the new, it’s an accessible, bright and beautiful building with boxing at its heart. It is now the worthy home of the Golden Gloves Amateur Boxing Club (ABC), one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in the city. We’ve cemented our place in Liverpool’s boxing crown as the venue for the city’s first Boxing Academy, in conjunction with Liverpool Community College.

Thanks to local artist Alan Murray, the exterior artworks give us back that feeling of an Institute, in the best and brightest sense of the word. The art inside includes work by renowned artists Jamie Reid and Nina Edge, and we’ve also got a growing ‘Mugs Alley’, courtesy of a host of auld boxers too numerous and ugly to name. The whole place feels fit for purpose, now.

Thanks to architects COMTECHSA, the interior has been ingeniously reworked to be fully accessible, including ramps and lifts. Two refurbished gymnasia with new sprung floors will offer a flexible range of activities, with one dedicated to boxing. Male and female changing areas include new saunas. The centre also features a kitchen and café, a multi-activity/IT room, 3 general offices and a fitness suite. We’ve already won an award, even before our official opening*, winning COMTECHSA’s ‘Outstanding Refurbishment’ 2006 in their recent Community Awards. Hopefully, this will be the first of many.

It’s an immense achievement, made all the more so by the fact that a) it was done by local people; and b) it’s READY NOW. In a city panicking that it won’t be ready to make the grade in 2008, The Belve (like Toxteth Town Hall) can be used tomorrow. The challenge for the future (as with all community buildings) is to make it work, and make it sustainable. We’re at least willing to face it, and get in the ring.

We couldn’t be more pleased with the results so far, but we’ve got high aspirations, and there’s a long, long way to go. Come and see us try. Those gold medals won’t win themselves, y’know.

MORAL OF THE STORY? You can have New Liverpool and not destroy the Old.

*The official opening of The Belvedere Community Activity Centre will take place on Thursday 23rd November at 12 Noon. TWELVE AT THE BELVE. ALL WELCOME. Activities and events all day, with a social in the evening. Look out for publicity.
If you are interested in running activities, renting facilities, hiring office space, or running our café, please contact us IMMEDIATELY on 0151 726 8155. To find out what’s on, please contact Centre Manager by phone or drop into: The Belvedere, 89-91 Miles Street, Liverpool L8 4PX.

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Sorry Comments Closed

Comment left by Dee Povey on 22nd January, 2007 at 16:42
I am trying to find out where my grandad boxed when he was a boy. My Grandad was called Noah Chambers and was quite a boxer from what I can gather. He boxed in the 1930´s and I was wondering if you had any records of him boxing at your club at all. Thank you for your time and good luck for the future

Comment left by Rosalee on 30th September, 2007 at 20:24
This place is a credit to the Liverpool community pulling together for the good of all. To many many years more of success, Tom you've backed a winner and should be proud of all you've all been able to achieve!

Comment left by haitham salem on 17th October, 2007 at 11:11
do you do thai boxing, if so what is the time and dates please!

Comment left by Rachel on 7th June, 2009 at 7:07
The club is great however i started kickboxing classes there and took my daughter a couple of years ago. It turned out the instructer wasn't qualified

Comment left by Tommy Lawton on 21st August, 2010 at 5:10
any info of the past manager please

Comment left by tony benson on 7th October, 2010 at 18:48
i was one of the first on the boxing academy its was a good laff thanks kev smith.

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