Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson officially opened the city's newest retirement living housing development on 2nd September, prompting a cue for the Beatles' hit song 'When I'm 64…' when guests found out Paul McCartney's old school was previously on the development's site.

Joseph Williams Mews is Riverside's newest retirement living development for over 55s in Belle Vale, located directly opposite the area's main shopping complex. The scheme consists of 56 affordable rent apartments as well as Riverside Home Ownership's 14 shared ownership properties: 12 apartments and two bungalows.

Paul McCartney attended Joseph Williams School from 1949 to 1953. The school was closed in 1997 and the site on Naylorsfield Drive was cleared for Riverside's new retirement living housing built in line with the Lee Valley Green Space Strategy.

The £9.4 million, 70-home project was developed by Riverside in partnership with Liverpool City Council and contractors Lovell, design agency, DK Architects, and landscaper designers, Planit-IE, following the increased demand for housing for older people in the Lee Valley area.

Riverside teams celebrate

Catherine Corkish, Sales Negotiator, said:"Our shared ownership homes at Joseph Williams Mews have been snapped up. The properties are ideal for retired people to downsize into. We've provided homes that suit their needs as well as a stake in a thriving community."

The project is just one element of our much wider programme of regeneration of the Lee Valley area and reflective of a unique partnership between Riverside and Liverpool City Council. The outcome is a high-quality development complex which has transformed the Lee Valley area. 

Maureen Pringle, Riverside Regional Operations Manager, said:"Joseph Williams Mews offers a range of housing options and additional levels of support for couples and single people over 55. The scheme is modern and inviting with a staffed reception area, hairdressers and beauty salon, laundry facilities and a community café themed around the history of Liverpool with a pictorial timeline of historic events dating back to the Belle Vale Prefab Project until the present day."

As part of the day, Mayor Joe Anderson toured the development after he officially cut the ribbon declaring the scheme's opening. Guests had lunch at Joseph Williams Mews soon-to-be-launched café which will officially be open to the Belle Vale community later in September.