Liverpool’s Iconic Liver Bird Taken Down for Restoration 2026

Key Points

• Liver Bird that was taken from Mersey Chambers of Liverpool will be restored.
• This Victorian statue is mounted on the Grade II listed building of Mersey Chambers, which is located in the Old Churchyard.
• According to reports, the statue is older than any of the Liver Birds on Liverpool’s Royal Liver Building.
• The statue is alternatively referred to as the “Liver Bird” and the “Mother Bird”.
• The statue faces towards Liverpool Parish Church and the River Mersey.
• The owners of the Mersey Chambers, Acorn Insurance, purchased the Mersey Chambers in 2016.
• According to Danny Keating, who is associated with Acorn Insurance, the statue had suffered from weathering.
• The Liver Bird will be re-instated once the restoration work is completed.

Liverpool (Liverpool standard) October 1, 2026 — A historic Liver Bird has been removed from the roofline of Mersey Chambers in Liverpool so that restoration work can be carried out on the Victorian sculpture.

The main development is the removal of one of Liverpool’s historic Liver Birds from Mersey Chambers for restoration after weather-related damage. The statue will be returned to the building when the work has been completed.

The statue is a distinctive feature of the Grade II listed building in Old Churchyard. It has stood above the building for many years and is regarded as one of the city’s notable Liver Bird sculptures.

According to the BBC report titled “Liver Bird removed from Mersey Chambers for restoration works”, the sculpture is thought to be older than the two Liver Birds positioned on the Royal Liver Building. The removal is therefore connected not only to maintenance of the building but also to the preservation of an important part of Liverpool’s architectural and cultural heritage.

The restoration follows damage caused by exposure to the weather. Danny Keating, representing Acorn Insurance, said the statue had suffered from weather-related deterioration. The company has owned the Grade II listed Mersey Chambers since 2016.

Why Was the Liver Bird Removed From Mersey Chambers?

The Liver Bird removed from Mersey Chambers was taken down because it had suffered weather-related damage and required restoration.

As reported by the BBC, Danny Keating of Acorn Insurance said the sculpture would be reinstated after being restored “to its former glory”. The statement indicates that the removal is intended to protect the statue and allow repair work to be completed away from its position on the building.

Historic sculptures installed on exposed rooftops can face continued deterioration from rain, wind and other weather conditions. In this case, the damage affected a statue that forms part of the appearance of Mersey Chambers and contributes to the character of the surrounding Old Churchyard area.

The available report does not provide details of the precise restoration methods, the company carrying out the work or the expected completion date. It also does not state whether the statue will undergo structural repairs, surface treatment or other conservation measures.

Where Is Mersey Chambers?

Mersey Chambers is located in Old Churchyard in Liverpool, next to Liverpool Parish Church and close to the River Mersey.

The Liver Bird on the building looks towards the churchyard of Liverpool Parish Church and the river. Its position gives the sculpture a prominent place within the historic surroundings and links it visually with some of the city’s best-known landmarks.

The building itself is Grade II listed, meaning that it is recognised as a structure of special architectural or historic interest. The presence of the Liver Bird forms part of the building’s distinctive appearance and makes the restoration relevant to the wider conservation of the site.

The removal temporarily changes the skyline and frontage of Mersey Chambers. However, the planned reinstatement means the statue is expected to return once the restoration work has been completed.

Is This Liver Bird Older Than the Royal Liver Building Statues?

The Victorian Liver Bird on Mersey Chambers is thought to be older than the two Liver Birds on the Royal Liver Building.

The BBC described the sculpture as one of the most historic Liver Birds in Liverpool and reported that it is believed to predate the pair of famous statues on the Royal Liver Building. The two Royal Liver Building birds are among the city’s most recognisable symbols, but the Mersey Chambers sculpture has its own earlier history.

The statue is also referred to as the “Liver Bird” or the “Mother Bird”. From its position, it looks down towards the nearby churchyard and across towards the River Mersey.

The report does not give a confirmed construction date for the sculpture. It describes it as Victorian and says it is thought to be older than the Royal Liver Building birds. That distinction is important because it presents the Mersey Chambers statue as an earlier example of the Liver Bird tradition associated with Liverpool.

What Did Acorn Insurance Say About the Restoration?

Danny Keating, speaking on behalf of Acorn Insurance, said the Liver Bird had suffered weather-related damage and would be reinstated after restoration.

Acorn Insurance has owned Mersey Chambers since 2016. The company’s involvement is significant because the restoration is taking place under the ownership of the organisation responsible for the Grade II listed property.

According to the BBC, Keating said the statue would be restored “to its former glory”. The wording suggests that the intention is to return the sculpture to a condition that reflects its historic appearance while addressing the damage caused by exposure to the elements.

No further statement about the cost of the work, its duration or the restoration contractor is included in the available BBC report. There is also no confirmed date for the Liver Bird’s return to the building.

What Does the Removal Mean for Liverpool’s Heritage?

The removal highlights the maintenance challenges faced by historic structures and architectural features in exposed locations.

Although the Liver Bird is a relatively small part of Mersey Chambers, it is an important visual feature of the building. Its age, Victorian character and position near Liverpool Parish Church and the River Mersey give it significance beyond its decorative role.

The restoration also draws attention to the difference between the Mersey Chambers sculpture and the Liver Birds on the Royal Liver Building. Visitors and residents often associate the Liver Bird with Liverpool’s waterfront identity, but examples of the symbol appear across the city and have different histories.

The temporary absence of the statue may be noticed by people who regularly pass through Old Churchyard or visit the nearby waterfront. Its eventual return will restore a familiar feature of the local streetscape.

When Will the Liver Bird Return?

The Liver Bird is expected to be reinstated after the restoration work has been completed.

However, the BBC report does not provide a precise return date. It confirms that the statue has been removed for refurbishment and that the plan is for it to be placed back on Mersey Chambers after the work.

The length of the restoration will depend on the condition of the sculpture and the work required to address the weather-related damage. Further information may be provided by Acorn Insurance or those responsible for the building as the project progresses.

Until then, the building will temporarily appear without one of its most recognisable features.

What Is the Background to the Mersey Chambers Liver Bird?

Mersey Chambers is a Grade II listed building in Liverpool’s Old Churchyard. Its Liver Bird is a Victorian sculpture positioned above the building and facing towards Liverpool Parish Church and the River Mersey.

The statue is regarded as one of the city’s historic Liver Birds and is thought to be older than the two Liver Birds on the Royal Liver Building. It is also known as the “Mother Bird”.

Acorn Insurance has owned Mersey Chambers since 2016. The company has confirmed that the sculpture suffered damage from the weather and is being restored before it is returned to its place on the building.

The available report does not provide a full account of the statue’s origins, its exact age or previous restoration history. Those details would require confirmation from the building’s owner, conservation specialists or official heritage records.

How Could the Restoration Affect Liverpool Visitors and Residents?

The restoration is likely to have a temporary visual effect on people visiting or living near Old Churchyard, because the Liver Bird will be absent from Mersey Chambers until the work is complete.

For visitors interested in Liverpool’s historic buildings, the removal may make the statue an additional point of interest when it returns. The restoration could help preserve the sculpture for future generations and maintain the appearance of the Grade II listed building.

For local residents and businesses, the immediate impact is expected to be limited to the temporary change in the building’s appearance. The available report does not mention road closures, access restrictions or disruption connected with the removal.

The longer-term effect will depend on the quality and durability of the restoration. If the work successfully addresses the weather-related damage, the sculpture should continue to serve as a visible historic feature of Mersey Chambers and the surrounding area.