IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Kilshaw Street, LIVERPOOL, L6 2BQ

Behind the pretty office block. The chimney is on a power house with two large Browett, Lindley steam engines. This is all about to be demolished as only the pretty bit is listed. Attempts to get the power house listed failed, although we are now down to only one other two engine power house of that type (and as far as I know none with more than two). A former employee has ensured me that the mess was not typical and was probably the result of some work being carried out.

Shown respectively in Image and Image The latter is described at https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1062584 as "a well preserved example of the work of the foremost Edwardian theatre architect ... Frank Matcham".

Please see Sue's Image for a comprehensive history of the building. The words Mecca and Locarno can be seen in the carved stonework of the parapet, while the Grafton Rooms Image are visible on the left. The venue's website is here http://www.liverpoololympia.com/index.html?1182448000812

Ogden's Tobacco Company was founded by Thomas Ogden in 1860 when he opened a small retail shop in Liverpool's Park Lane. Within a short time he had established several branches throughout the city and in six years his own factory in St James' Street. In 1870 additional premises were acquired in Cornwallis Street and by 1890 Ogden's had six factories in Liverpool. The present factory at Boundary Lane was built in 1899 and all operations were concentrated at this site when it opened in 1901.

A pair of 430 horsepower inverted vertical compound steam engines built 1923 by Browett, lindley of Patricroft. These were stopped by 1974 but remained on standby in to the 1990s. The works has now closed and it is believed they may have been removed or scrapped. This was one of the last decent multi-engine power houses in the mainland of the UK and it is to be regretted that English Heritage would not afford it any form of statutory protection (the office block is listed). See Image and Image taken on the same visit.

Listed and being retained while the rest of the complex is swept away.

The infamous Grafton. Tales of its "grab-a-grannie" nights can be heard from all four corners of the globe but despite its tacky reputation it is remembered with great fondness by generations of Scousers. The Beatles played here the night before their final appearance at the Cavern and the rest is history.

The Liverpool Olympia is one of the most versatile entertainment and conference venues in Merseyside. Built in 1905, The Olympia Theatre seated 3750 in stalls and 3 balconies. It has an ornate interior decorated with elephants and Indian panelling and a vast stage but was also designed to house circus events - the elephant, horse and lions accommodation still survives below the stage. In 1925 it was converted to a cinema, bought by ABC in 1930. Throughout the war it was used as a naval depot, remaining closed until sold to Mecca in 1948 when it was converted into a ballroom known as the Locarno. Bingo followed from 1964-82, then after being shuttered, bingo returned from 1987-90. After another period of disuse it was restored and used once more for live entertainment - including the circus. It has also been a discotheque. It is now a venue for boxing and concerts. It is grade II listed building. (information from Theatre Trust UK)

Low Hill fire station, West Derby Road, Liverpool