The Florrie

A father's memorial

The institute was built by Bernard Hall, a local philanthropist, magistrate and Mayor of Liverpool, and named after his daughter Florence, who died aged 22. It opened in 1889 to give local boys somewhere to learn, train and socialise, and for generations it was a cornerstone of life in the area.

Saved and restored

After several serious fires and years of decline, a long community campaign and support from a range of funders brought the building back into use. It reopened on 1 April 2012, and today it houses a Grand Hall, gym, library, radio studio, classrooms, workspaces and a community café.

Visiting

The Heritage Resource Centre keeps the building's story and its alumni's memories alive, and the Grand Hall hosts events and activities through the year. It is about 1.5 km south of Liverpool Cathedral, so you can combine it with the cathedral and the Baltic Triangle's food market for a south-city half day. It is worth calling ahead or checking social channels before making a special trip, as it is a busy, working community building rather than a museum with fixed visiting hours.

Highlights

• Opened in 1889 as one of Britain's first boys' institutes
• Named after Florence, daughter of founder Bernard Hall
• Reopened in 2012 after a community restoration campaign
• Heritage Resource Centre and community café

Good to know

• A working community centre, so check events before visiting
• About 1.5 km south of Liverpool Cathedral

Frequently asked questions