Eerie photos inside abandoned hospital before devastating blaze

Photos show what stood before a devastating fire ripped through a historic Merseyside building. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service were called to the blaze at the former Hesketh Centre site on the corner of Albert Road and Park Road West in Southport at around 2.46am on Saturday, November 16.

The upper floor and roof of the former NHS health centre was engulfed in flames with people in the surrounding area being told to keep their windows and doors shut while firefighters dealt with the blaze. Albert Road remained shut for two days as the fire service leads an investigation into the fire.

It was reported by the ECHO earlier this year how the building of the former Hesketh Centre was up for auction in July and is believed to have been sold after being listed with a guide price of £750,000. The site has been subject to a pre-application advice letter from Sefton Council dating back to February 2022 which states that, in principle, the building can be used for residential purposes, however full demolition of the building will be "resisted without proper justification".

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In 2022, Abandoned UK, a Facebook and YouTube page that goes to empty buildings posted a video of the centre on its page. During the video, the group explore the building in-depth, recording almost all aspects of it inside.

The footage showed the secure rooms, left untouched since the centre was closed, as well as the wards that patients would stay on. The man recording the video also points out the number of items left behind, with beds, monitors and chairs all being left in the building.

Traditional coving could also be seen throughout the building, showing the history of the health centre which is believed to have first opened in 1903.

The auction listing said earlier this year: "A substantial freehold redevelopment opportunity comprising a former NHS building and associated grounds extending to a total site area of approximately 1.7 acres (0.7 hectares). Internally the existing accommodation extends to approximately 5,373 SqM (57,834 SqFt) and consists of the main former hospital building (51-55 Albert Road) and an adjoining residential property (18 Park Road West). The site benefits from a positive pre-application decision for residential development and is offered with vacant possession."

A Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust spokesperson previously told the ECHO how the building was put up for auction as a surplus building in accordance with the NHS Estates Code. The building was left empty in 2019 after all the mental inpatient services were moved to the newly built Hartley Hospital in the town due to the Hesketh Centre no longer being deemed as fit for purpose.

Responding to the news of the fire, Cllr Leo Evans, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Cambridge Ward, previously told the ECHO: "I was deeply saddened this morning to wake up to the news of the former Hesketh Centre on Albert Road on fire. I'd like to thank the emergency services who have been working since early this morning to combat the fire."

He added: "It is a sad day for Southport as we lose another beautiful Victorian building in the town. The site was one of the country's premier 'Hydro-Hotels' and photos from a century ago show a stunning facility just across the road from Hesketh Park, it is a real shame to lose such history in our town."