Liverpool Council is urging people to save one of Liverpool's famous buildings - in an apparent snub to property firm Signature Living.
The local authority is asking for 'expressions of interest' from people, community groups or other organisations who are interested in re-developing the historic Everton Library building.
The council owns the freehold for the site in Beacon Lane and St Domingo Road but is planning to dispose of it on the basis of a 125-year lease, if the right bidder comes forward and gets full planning consent.
The invitation will be seen as a snub to Signature Living, whose chairman Lawrence Kenwright has gone public with his vision for the library building
He has accused the council of being in 'disarray' over what to do with the library.
On Facebook he said: "Sadly our Council is in disarray, whilst they are concentrating on their internal political party battle, it has taken them 12 months to get to this point, while this building is clearly deteriorating, they can't even make a decision."
Mr Kenwright said his plan for the building involves re-establishing the library while also creating a wedding venue on the site that will 'fully fund' its restoration and maintenance.
The council has been made aware of Signature Living's idea for the site - but its open call to potential new projects suggests it wants to go in a different direction.
This is something Mr Kenwright appeared to acknowledge on social media.
When Lib Dem leader Cllr Richard Kemp asked whether Signature Living would be the ones taking the library on, the hotel boss replied: "Would love nothing more but sadly, it's not looking that way."
It is not the first time Mr Kenwright has clashed with the council over a plan to take on an iconic Liverpool building.
Last year, he again publicly criticised the authority when his bid to turn the Grade II listed Croxteth Hall into a luxury hotel and wedding venue was blocked.
After asking for bidders to come forward, the council decided it would instead invest in the site as part of a plan to turn it into a major tourist attraction.
Anyone interested in putting forward ideas for the future of Everton Library can get more information here .
