The ‘Bunker’ has stood in Dovecot for more than 60 years but now members fear its days are numbered
The ‘Bunker’ has stood in Dovecot for more than 60 years but now members fear its days are numbered
A lack of windows and natural light wouldn’t always make the most appealing environment for most social spaces. For the people of Dovecot though, the area’s social club is no normal venue.
Built in 1959, Dovecot Social Club, formerly a Labour club, sits on a plot of land off Kingsheath Avenue. The distinctively shaped building has stood firm for decades as it has welcomed and waved off new and old members of the community.
It proved to be a vital spot for police officers as they investigated the heartbreaking murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel, who was shot dead just metres away in her family home in the summer of 2022. Outside it sits her memorial garden.
Such is its quirky nature and somewhat outdated facilities, it is lovingly referred to by locals as the Bunker. Now however, the 66-year-old site is in desperate need of repair and members have reached out to the local authority for help.
Stephen Blennerhassett, 71, is a regular member and bemoaned the slow erosion of public services in Dovecot. He said: “It’s on its knees. We had a few pubs, football teams, there’s nothing left here now.
“They should be trying to help this community. If this place shuts, it will be vandalised and burnt down.
“We’ve never asked for anything, we’ve done it all on our own. Now we need them to help us.”
Members described the Bunker as a venue where you could have a christening, 21st birthday and a funeral all in the same place. Stephen added: “This is a great place, we’ve had some great parties here.”
Club members wrote to their ward councillors in a plea for help. In a letter to Cllrs Dan Barrington and Barbara Murray, seen by the ECHO, they said: “Our centre is falling down… all councillors are aware of our major problems, the lessee can no longer afford to fix your building in these straightened times.
“If no help is forthcoming, he will have to close, then what? A vandalised, burnt out building. Who does that serve? This place really is the last outpost.
The letter added: “We remind you again, the people that built this centre were veterans of the Second World War, the people that maintained it, still do, until now are veterans.”
Days later, the councillors wrote back via email saying: “We appreciate the important role the social club and your association plays in our community.
“As local councillors, we do have a small amount of local neighbourhood funding which we use to support a range of local groups on things like activities for younger people, pensioners’ parties. We will raise concerns about the condition of the building with the council’s property team and ask them to contact the leaseholder to discuss.”
The centre is also home to Kingsheath and District Veterans Association, with services held to remember former servicemen on a regular basis. The site had been subject to a potential cash injection in 2023 but fell through.
In a letter from two years ago to members outlining the state of the site, it was clear then work needed to be done. It said: “Our windows are falling out, it’s freezing in winter, central heating is weak.
“The children cannot come here even if they wish, it’s too cold. Our car park is now a tourist attraction with the potholes. It simply cannot be navigated safely.”
A spokesperson for Liverpool Council confirmed the club’s licensee had been written to with a reminder of the obligations to maintain the building.
