Liverpool: Then and Now

Documenting changes to the Liverpool City Region by retaking modern-day versions of older images My intention is only to document changes to the city.

Old photographs of Liverpool city centre and suburbs, retaken by Keith Jones in 2012-2023 and put next to each other in a variety of ways for people to look at and compare. I very rarely share my view as to whether a change is for the better or worse. My main focus is on the challenge of matching the original view as accurately as I am able and sharing the comparison clearly, rather than to make a

judgement. When the original vantage point is no longer accessible, whether because of a new building or a parked vehicle, I try to present as close a match as the current setting allows. In my view, decay is inevitable, tastes change over time and in this real world practical compromises sometimes have to be made by homeowners and businesses. I'm also conscious that improvement or otherwise is very much in the eye of the beholder and feel it's possible to appreciate the fact that something better went before a current day view, even if it's no longer there. This does not apply to the vast majority but for a few it still needs saying. If for some reason you feel like saying 'that house looks horrible now' or something else negative about a specific house, please don't. I'm not here to share insults or offending comments about people's homes. Offensive comments of any kind will be deleted without discussion. I don't half find comments like 'That side of the road isn't ###x area. Technically it's ###x' really tiresome. I put a lot of time into the page but I'm not actually trying to publish a reference book. Those pedants who know the precise border of each district of the city might quibble but if a street is, for example, 50 yards into Edge Hill rather than Kensington, or like many roads borders two areas it's not something that's important to me, or most people, I suspect. Usually everyone else either already knows or couldn't care less. There are very few pairs of streets in the city that share a name, so 'It is where it is'. All the comparisons on this page are my own efforts - it's my own personal page rather than a group page. The 'Then' photographs of Liverpool originate from a wide range of sources including internet searches, old postcards, Facebook local history projects or are sometimes sent to me by their owners so my thanks go to all for their help, but unless otherwise stated, the old photos likely originated from the Liverpol Records Office at Central Library. My understanding is that they hold the copyright to the old photos and, in any event, the images on this page are not to be used for commercial purposes. If in any doubt over use, please contact me through the page and I will do my best to answer - contacting LRO for clarification if necessary or original photographer in the rare event that I have that information. If anyone has any old photos they think might be interesting to 'redo', I can't promise anything but would be more than happy to have a go if it's possible

18/06/2026

Moss Lane, Orrell Park, 1970s in 2026

18/06/2026

Moss Lane, Orrell Park, 1970s and 2026

18/06/2026

Moss Lane at Gondover Avenue, Orrell Park, 1972 in 2026

18/06/2026

Moss Lane at Gondover Avenue, Orrell Park, 1972 and 2026

18/06/2026

The Warbreck Pub, Orrell Lane at Bull Lane, Orrell Park, 1970s and 2026

Soon to be demolished, apparently

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/much-loved-pub-orrell-park-33556479

Much-loved pub in Orrell Park scheduled for demolition work

The Warbreck pub was once the centre of social life for people living in Orrell Park

Elliot Jessett City reporter
09 Mar 2026

A much-loved community pub, once the cornerstone of social life for people living in Orrell Park, is set to undergo demolition works after plans were approved to convert the building into a new housing development. The historic Warbreck pub, dates back to the 1970s, and survived one closure before finally pouring its last pint in January 2022.

Announcing the closure back in December 2021, a spokesperson for the pub posted: "It’s with a heavy heart we can announce we will be closing our doors for good on Saturday, January 15, but if [covid] restrictions hit the last day will be the day before the circuit break.

"We’ve had an amazing two years at the pub and put the place back on the map. From takeaway pints in the early days to serving food and keeping going through a very tough time, family fun days, raising money for charity, supporting the local community, we’ve done the lot."

The pub was eventually put up for sale and listed on the licensed trade associates website, describing the property thus: "The Warbreck is a detached two-storey property with car parking space to the front and the rear. The upper floor provides living accommodation and consists of three large bedrooms, bathroom/WC, kitchen and lounge/dining room.

"The ground floor trading area is well laid out and consists of a traditional lounge and a bar/games room. The bar service is centrally located to serve both the lounge and the games room. There are some loose tables and chairs and fixed-wall seating."

However, it appears there was no definite interest in maintaining the property as a public house, and the site was eventually bought by a property developer called Denstone, which submitted plans to transform the pub into a series of new homes.

The original plans for the Warbreck pub were rejected by Liverpool city council's planning department, but after a subsequent site visit and formal appeal, the proposal was finally approved on December 19 2024.

The decision noted: "The appeal is allowed and planning permission is granted to part demolish, convert and extend the existing building to create 6 x 2-bedroom apartments and 9 x 1 bedroom apartments.

"To erect 5 terraced dwelling houses (1 of which 2 bedrooms; 4 of which 3 bedrooms), with access via both Orrell Lane and Bull Lane, and associated car parking, garden areas, bin and cycle stores, and hard and soft landscaping at Former Warbreck Public House [...] subject to the conditions in the attached schedule."

The Liverpool ECHO contacted Roman Summer Associates Ltd, the planning agent for the applicant Denstone North West Ltd, which confirmed plans are progressing for the redevelopment of the pub, and hope to break ground on the Orrell Park project this summer.

"The delay to works relates to a series of conditions imposed by Liverpool city council, and the ECHO understands all documents relating to these have now been submitted and are awaiting approval.

18/06/2026

Liverpool Road, Huyton, 1969 and 2026

Original photograph by Chris Henry

For some reason I seem to remember this road to quite regularly flood even when I used to drive home from working in Huyton in the early 2000s. Not sure what caused that or whether it's fixed now or not!