The Florence Institute Trust – New Youth Zone
Overview
The Florrie, a Grade II listed Victorian community venue and the UK’s oldest surviving purpose-built boys’ club, has served South Liverpool for over 130 years. To preserve its legacy and expand its youth services, Krol Corlett led a £535,000, 12-week renovation of the basement, creating a new Youth Zone.
The vibrant facility now features a cinema, radio and podcast studio, games room, recreation and learning spaces, plus a kitchenette to support young people, including those affected by food hunger. The redesign opened up former corridors into bright, accessible rooms with refurbished windows, glass panels, and a lift.
All works were completed while the building remained fully operational, ensuring The Florrie could continue serving the community throughout.
Work Completed
The project involved temporary removal and reinstatement of joinery, partitions, services and fixtures to allow floor repairs. Damaged flooring was replaced with new timber and waterproofing, alongside drainage inspections and connections for the new kitchenette.
Structural changes included infilling door openings, adding partitions, glass screens and a glazed bi-fold wall to the social spaces. Mechanical and electrical upgrades introduced new lighting, power, fire detection and access control. Interiors were revitalised with new doors, redecoration, flooring and fixed seating, while a corridor mural and timeline artwork enhanced the space. A fully equipped cinema room was also created, complete with raised seating, acoustic treatments, blinds and specialist equipment.
Impact
The completion of the renovation project has greatly improved both The Florrie and strengthened surrounding community bonds, bringing residents closer together and instilling a deeper sense of pride in the Florrie’s role as a community landmark.
The Florrie has evolved into a more vibrant hub, offering wider employment, a diverse range of activities for all ages, enhancing socialisation and learning opportunities.
With improved accessibility, the Florrie is able to foster a stronger sense of inclusion within the community.
By meticulously restoring historic features, the project has not only preserved the Florrie’s past but also ensured its continued relevance for future generations.
“It has been a delight to deliver this project for the young people of L8. This space will be available now for years to come, free of charge to any child in the area as a safe place to meet, develop friendships and prosper.
Many thanks to all stakeholders and the collaborative efforts involved in making this project run seamlessly. Thank you also to MP Liverpool Riverside, Kim Johnson for the official Grand Opening and everyone who attended”
Awards Finalists
Northern Design Awards 2024
Interior Design – Social Space £500k-£1m
The Florence Institute, The Basement Youth Hub – Unit3 Design Studio Ltd
The Florrie is a mixed-use community building at the heart of Liverpool 8, but young people previously had no dedicated area to use within the building. In the past, this has severely limited our ability to provide youth activities, with our current program working on a restricted sessional basis focused around the school holidays. This new space will allow us to expand our youth program to offer vital support to young people all year round. We will be working with local schools and youth groups to deliver their activities and lessons from outside of the classroom, aiming to engage, motivate, and inspire.