Liverpool Motorcycle School Faces Closure Due to Housing Development

A Liverpool motorcycle school faces closure because Network Rail sold the school’s land where they plan 500 new apartments. David Black runs Easy Rider Liverpool and he may lose his business, which he took over in 2004 and has paid a lot in rent since then.

Network Rail confirmed they sold the land, and Liverpool Council approved the housing plans. Black fears his school must shut down, even though Easy Rider opened in 1997 and offers both license and training courses.

Black said they paid a lot of rent to Network Rail and he got a letter about the sale two years ago. Workers tested the site recently, and he heard about the sale without official confirmation despite his school operating under railway arches.

Black continued courses through the pandemic and trained thousands of riders at what is the city’s oldest school. He rebuilt the school’s reputation after Liverpool Council approved the housing plans last year.

Developers will build tower blocks and demolish existing buildings on the site. According to Network Rail, they want to fund the railway and release land for housing, viewing the sale as a way to aid regeneration.

Sourced Development Group will develop the site, creating 507 apartments. Black said staff left when they heard the news, leaving him and a few part-time workers. Feeling stressed and uncertain, he doesn’t know his next steps.