Flat secretly turned into 'fantasy world' by tenant gets special status

A rented flat secretly converted into a “fantasy world” by its tenant has been given Grade II listed status after volunteers campaigned to save it.

The ground-floor apartment of the semi-detached house in Oxton, Merseyside, was decorated by artist Ron Gittins, who lived there for more than 30 years.

He crafted fireplaces in the shape of a lion and a minotaur, fashioned a Roman altar in the kitchen and painted the walls with floor to ceiling Egyptian, Greek and marine themed murals.

Mr Gittins only allowed a handful of people inside the home, but when his niece Jan Williams visited after his death in 2019 she made saving the flat, which has become known as “Ron’s Place”, her mission.

She said: “He had created his own fantasy world in a rented flat. You hear of people whose landlords won’t return the deposits because they’ve left a blu-tac mark on the wall, and he had created a whole minotaur fireplace!”

Now, Mr Gittins’ work has become the first example of Outsider Art – a term used for work done by those without conventional training – to be granted Grade II listing by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), following the advice of Historic England.

Among those who have supported efforts to save the flat is rock star Jarvis Cocker.

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The former Pulp frontman said: “A small number of people on this planet have known for a while that Ron’s Place is a very special place – but from now on it is official: Ron’s Place has been given listed status!

“The work of one unique gentleman in the north of England has been recognised nationally. Globally even. Hallelujah!”

Ms Williams originally said she and fellow volunteers applied to have the property listed to “ward off evil” and put off property developers.

But a donation last year meant the group they formed, the Wirral Arts and Culture Community Land Trust, was able to buy the home at auction and now hope to use it to inspire other artists.

Ms Williams, who, like her late uncle, is an artist, said: “We have always had the idea of a holistic house of art.

“I’m sure that’s what Ron would have wanted, and having the listing gives us a lot more credibility.”

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She believes Mr Gittins, who died aged 79, would be “over the moon” with the decision.

She added: “He was really proud of it. It’s sad because when I was going through his stuff I found a postcard he’d written to me saying ‘I can’t wait to show you what I’ve done’.

“He’d written the wrong address so it was returned to him and I never saw it but that kind of validates me and I think he’d be made up at the lengths we’ve gone to.”

Sarah Charlesworth, listing team leader north at Historic England, said: “Ron’s Place is a testament to the unique artistic achievements and vision of Ron Gittins over four decades.

“The extent to which Ron’s creations have inspired action from people in the local area to raise funds to purchase the building and secure the survival of his legacy demonstrates the value of this remarkable project and why it has earned its place on the National Heritage List for England.”

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