BID TO PRESERVE JAM FACTORY SITE; Plans include museum of food and drink.

Byline: MARCWADDINGTON

AN ICONIC community once known for producing jam could become home to a heritage site and food and drink museum.

The plan for Hartley's Village, in Walton, is being drawn up by city and business leaders.

News of the project, hailed as Liverpool's version of Wirral's Port Sunlight, came after more than three years of campaigning by residents and councillors.

Food giant Jacob's is looking at the possibility of using its Long Lane site for the museum of food and drink.

The area has a rich history of food production, with jam-makers Hartley's - after which Hartley's Village was named - Nelson's and Jacob's all basing factories there over the years.

A celebratory all-day street party will be held tomorrow, with city leaders, regeneration specialists, historians and Walton MP Peter Kilfoyle expected to attend.

Warbreck Cllr Anne O'Byrne said it was important to recognise the contribution founder William Pickles Hartley made to the community.

She said: "For three years, we have worked with residents to get heritage status, given the history of Hartley's and the money he spent in the area.

"He gave a recreation ground to the children of Walton and built the lakes and allotments.

"Now the council has recognised it needs to be looked at. "This area of Liverpool is a real gem and deserves to be recognised for its important role in the community over the years."

Hartley's jam factory was opened in the late 19th century after the family moved production first from near Colne, in Lancashire, and then Bootle.

Hartley's Garden Village, as it was then known, was built next to the factory for its hundreds of workers. The premises were the base of workshops for joiners, coopers and boxmakers, while the distinctive jars were manufactured in St Helens and Melling.

Anders Timms, of Jacob's, said although no concrete plans were drawn up, discussions about how to move forward were underway. He said: "There is a lot of pride and passion about this project and an awful lot of people have worked on that site, some for more than 40 years.

"I am working with the Jacob's sports and social club and looking to get them more involved from a community perspective."

Mr Timms added the club will also be involved in a diploma-led project starting in September with Inspire Liverpool.

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REVAMP: The old Hartley''s Jam Factory in Hartley''s Village Picture: JAMES MALONEY