theflorrie.org

In  an article in the Sunday Times published June 08, author Christopher Hart named the florrie as 'the saddest symbol of Liverpool's decline'. The final paragraph said: "Nearby was a once proud Grade II listed building in the last stages of decay: the Florence Institute for Boys, know affectionately by the locals as "the florrie". When it opened, in 1898, it was the first purpose-built youth club in Britain, on the scale of a grand town hall. "A place of recreation and instruction for the poor and working boys of the district", you can still read on the wall. It had a library and a gymnasium, and organised regular trips to the lake district. It finally closed down in 1987, and now its no more than a roof-less, pigeon roost. The EU says the Capital of Culture is about "regeneration, social Inclusion, education and business", but these haven't got as far as "Liverpool 8" yet.

 Too far off the tourists trail? Prince Charles visited last year, and was dismayed to find that this howling shame of a building now officially belongs to - his Mum. He, too, promised to help, but so far... nothing. If there is a sadder symbol of Liverpool's decline, I didn't find it.

While we recongnise a lot of truth in this article as a whole, we believe that the tide is turning in the city and that we are a part of it. The New Florrie WILL be 'the Greates Symbol' of Liverpool's resurgence