One city centre building boasts a fascinating history and has changed many times during its lifetime.
Spanning more than 25,000 square feet, The Lyceum was constructed in 1802 and sits on one of the busiest streets in the city, every day seeing hundreds of shoppers, students and tourists pass it by.
This week, the ECHO reported how new plans have been submitted that could see a 'Jungle Rumble' miniature golf course created inside the Grade II listed building
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Jungle Rumble, which runs mini golf venues in London, Glasgow, Briston and Brighton, wants to create a new course, complete with bar and hospitality facilities in the famous Lyceum building on Bold Street.
Here, we took a brief look back at the history of the Lyceum building and its many faces through time.
The Lyceum was built more than 200 years ago and has had an array of uses during its history
Designed by architect Thomas Harrison, the Lyceum was built by William Slater as a library and a gentlemen's club.
Completed in 1802, during its lifetime it has been subdivided and converted for a variety of uses, including a post office, restaurants and bars.
The Lyceum was home to England’s first subscription library and later became a gentlemen’s club, but fell into disrepair in the 1950s.
Around the time, the building was earmarked for demolition so that nearby Central Station could be extended - but was saved after an outcry.
The last use of the full building was by the Post Office, who bought the building in 1984 and continued to use it until 2004.
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The Co-operative Bank had occupied the ground floor unit facing Church Street, it too moved to a new branch in nearby Parker Street in 2017, leaving The Lyceum completely unoccupied.
And despite the building being linked with national chains like Nando's, the building remained empty.
In 2018, the Bold Street building was on the market with Mason Owen for an undisclosed price - and the ECHO was granted a glimpse behind the imposing frontage to see what’s inside.
Pictures taken inside the historic building showed ornate artwork painted on the walls, featuring gladiators and classical figures.
Inside the huge central atrium, you can see the Lyceum’s breathtaking domed ceiling, which features a striking mural of ancient gods and cherubs.
And upon entering the main banking hall of the Lyceum at the time, old strong boxes could be seen in the walls.
That same year, plans were submitted to Liverpool to house a Chinese restaurant in the Lyceum building.
Restaurant China Dina opened in November 2019 and welcomes regular customers into the iconic building every day.
What do you think of The Lyceum building's history? Let us know in the comments section below.
Occupying the north west end of the basement, the rest of the building was reported to lie vacant.
In 2020, the ECHO reported how the building was surrounded by scaffolding and fencing as work was undertaken on the Grade II* listed building.
Building owners Panther Securities carried out work to the roof of the building, which is managed by Mason Owen, and also did repairs on the external stonework.
The Lyceum had struggled to attract tenants and it was hoped the work would help bring other tenants into the building.
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This month, Jungle Rumble submitted a formal planning application to Liverpool City Council, that would see it convert the ground floor and basement of the central part and south east end of the Lyceum into a mini-indoor golf and entertainment centre.
If approved, the plans would see some minor alterations to the inside of the famous building and the installation of removable fixtures.
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Jungle Rumble intends to lease a total area of 1,174 sq m of the site, including parts of the basement and ground floor of the building and the creation of a new mezzanine.
There would be no alterations made to the outside of the iconic building, aside from signage and an 'upgraded access door into Lyceum Place.'
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