Description
Since its acquisition by the University
of Liverpool in 1994, the site of the former Royal Infirmary
has undergone a remarkable transformation. With over £13
million of restoration and refurbishment, funded by the University,
Regional Health Authority and European Regional Development
'Objective I' programme, the building combines both functionality
and state of the art facilities with a number of the original
details such as classical columns and distinctive tiles. The
Centre has 15 conference rooms and atrium areas catering for
groups from 2 to 150 delegates.
With a dedicated
friendly conference team and purpose designed meeting rooms,
we ensure that all facilities are tailored to your individual
requirements. The team are involved in organising your event
from start to finish ensuring attention to detail throughout
your event. We can assist you with arranging accommodation
for your guests and provide information regarding local attractions
within the City of Liverpool.
In addition to
purpose designed conference rooms with modern audio visual
equipment, the Centre also offers a number of specialist facilities
including video conferencing and a networked IT Suite equipped
with nine PC's/Workstations. Secretarial support, word processing,
facsimile and photocopying are available on request.
The Foresight Centre
is housed within an elegant Grade II listed
building of great architectural and historical
significance, situated on the edge of Liverpool
City Centre.
The building dates back
to the late 1800s when it serviced the people
of Merseyside as the Liverpool Royal Infirmary.
It was designed by Liverpool born architect
Sir Alfred Waterhouse, champion of high
Victorian Gothic with advice from Florence
Nightingale.
The opening ceremony
was performed by the Duke of Clarence and
Avondale, Queen Victoria's grandson, from
whom one of the wards took its name.
As the demand for the
hospital services in Liverpool increased,
the original Waterhouse buildings were extended.
The most pressing need was for a separate
outpatients department.
Since
Waterhouse had died in 1905, another Liverpool
architect, J. Francis Doyle of Harrington
Street was commissioned to design the new
outpatients department. Working in what
was the Waterhouse style, Doyle designed
a two storey building plus basement.
This building was opened
by the Earl of Sefton on 6th March 1911.
In 1948 the Liverpool
Royal Infirmary was transferred to state
management under the National Health Service.
In the event, however the Liverpool Royal
Infirmary had a lifespan of only thirty
more years after the creation of the Health
Service.
Due
to the lack of space surrounding the Liverpool
Royal Infirmary, the decision was taken
to build a new Royal Infirmary University
Hospital on a site directly opposite.
The last patient left the Liverpool Royal
Infirmary on 17 December 1978.
After
lying empty for 15 years the University
of Liverpool purchased the site from the
North West Regional Health authority in
1994.
Since then it has been
committed to an extensive programme to develop
the site fully and restore the buildings
to their former glory.
Today, the University
of Liverpool's Foresight Centre occupies
the site.
The Centre provides
outside organisations with access to the
university's technological and professional
expertise and an award winning state-of-the-art
conference facility in a uniquely appealing
environment. | 
