For many years when I was a wage slave I had an office on Alexandra Dock, Bootle. I never paid much attention to my surroundings. Time to make amends.
My walk, away from the touristic Albert Dock in the city, takes me from:
The Stanley Dock Tobacco Warehouse and the Bascule Bridge
To the former Merseyside Food Products warehouse at Brunswick Place.
In a straight line only about half a mile, but I deviated up and down the side streets. What a memorable walk it was, from meeting lazy security guards, and making friends with a bloody soft guard dog!
Anyways off we go.
Built in 1901, the warehouse survived the blitz (as did many other buildings round here),but fell into disuse in the 1980’s ( the bascule bridge which allowed access for ships into Stanley Dock was not built until 1932
(Source)[https://streetsofliverpool.co.uk/stanley-dock/] circa 1930,before the construction of the bascule bridge.
The bridge would raise and swing to allow ships travelling up the Mersey access into Stanley Dock.
And so the gentrification of this run down part of Liverpool continues
Prices off plan start at £250k. So much for spineless clueless Johnson and his “levelling up” of society plans.
The River side of Regent Road is owned and controlled by Peel Ports, and is therefore subject to strict security, with lots of little fat men sitting in booths at all entrances, stopping would be jihadi terrorists from entering; as well as old guys with cameras.
Looking out towards the River Mersey, with New Brighton on the far shore
“No Laaa youse canned cum in ere laaa, rulez is rulez laaaa, it’s more than my........”
Yup you’ve guess it jobsworth! So shoreside I stayed ho hum
(Source)[https://liverpool1207blog.wordpress.com/architects-in-liverpool/]
Victoria Tower was constructed circa 1848, But known locally as the 'docker's clock', it served as an aid to ships in port, allowing the ship’s master to set the correct time as they sailed out into the Irish Sea, whilst the ringing of its bell warned of impending weather changes such as high tide and fog. It also provided living accommodation for the Pier Master.
(Source)[https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/471303] circa 2007
Tate & Lyle constructed their huge concrete sugar silo in the 1950s, A huge conveyor tower as seen above was constructed next to it, and this was used to bring sugar up from ships in Huskisson Dock.
The construction of the silo needed to be of sufficient strength to contain potential explosions, given that fine sugar is both susceptible to fire and in the right conditions explosive. The building would also have been fitted with sacrificial panels as seen on the gable end,so as to release any explosive energy. The conveyors and associated buildings were demolished over 10 years ago. The silo is now a grade 2 listed building.
So let’s park the history lessons for now and look at some of the stuff that amuses my camera lens.
Now I am given to understand that dockside phone boxes would normally contain calling cards left by ladies of the night offering “french lessons” with good “O”&”A” levels.
I looked high
I looked low
Nothing but dust
I’ve never been lucky.
I have never understood why blah blah blah signs are put in place, nor pointless by-laws, if as is the case here they seem not to be enforced.
Random faded signage of businesses no longer in business
Massive old warehouses standing tall, usually constructed from fire bricks and cast iron so as to reduce the risk of combustion and fire spread.
Teagle openings on all floors to hoist and lower goods manually using gin wheels and ropes
Along the side streets in search of the aforementioned market I found a door. Gazing through the glass it seemed quite dark and dingy
I held the handle
I pulled the handle
The door opened.
Well it would be rude not to venture in for a little mooch
Wouldn’t it?
It seemed like some long ago used drinking/music club, following my instinct I ventured further in
Some nice artwork and then I was attacked by the softest guard dog ever, he nearly licked me to death!!!
Making a fuss of the beast must have attracted its owner who stumbled out of the dark, nice guy, bemused as to what I was doing in “the club”. Thought I was from the press when he saw my camera.
After explaining I was just a nosey old fucker, he told me he owned the place and it was a renovation project to re-open as a bar and club early July.
Wouldn’t let me further in as it was top secret (ffs). But was welcome back when it was open.
Pointing out I was probably too old for such a place, he laughed and told me “the ladies round here love guys of a certain age”
Happy days.
Back out into the sunlight to enjoy some more industrial decay
Random scrawling No1
Random scrawling No2
Created for the Liverpool Biennial 2018, by polish artist Paulina Olowska named: Grace, Charles and the Sunflower
I read that it’s based on the “socialist belief that through the creation of a public work one can influence and present optimistic visions of a better world”.
And with that load of right on middle class bollocks I arrived at my destination
