St Johns Beacon Viewing Gallery — Attraction in Liverpool

St John's Beacon, commonly known as Radio City Tower, is an iconic landmark in Liverpool, England, offering panoramic views of the city and beyond.

🏗️ Overview & History Location: Situated in the heart of Liverpool, adjacent to St John's Shopping Centre.

Height: 138 meters (452 feet) tall; including its 10-meter antenna, it stands as the tallest structure in Liverpool.

Construction: Completed in 1969, designed by James A. Roberts Associates.

Opening: Inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II in 1971.

Original Purpose: Initially built as a ventilation shaft for the shopping centre, it was later converted into a revolving restaurant.

Revolving Restaurant: Operated from 1971 until its closure in 1979 due to health and safety concerns.

Subsequent Use: In the early 1980s, it briefly reopened as a "Buck Rogers" space-themed restaurant before closing again.

Refurbishment: In 1999–2000, the tower underwent a £5 million refurbishment, transforming it into a radio broadcasting studio and observation tower.

Radio City Studios: From 2000 to 2024, it housed the studios for Hits Radio Liverpool and Greatest Hits Radio.

Grade II Listing: In November 2020, Historic England listed the tower as Grade II, recognizing its architectural and technological significance.

👀 Viewing Gallery Opening to Public: In 2010, the first floor was opened to the public as a 360° viewing gallery.

Features: Offered breathtaking panoramic views of Merseyside, including vistas of the Wirral, North Wales, Lancashire, and, on clear days, Snowdonia and Blackpool.

Accessibility: The gallery was wheelchair accessible, with no stairs to climb.

Closure: The viewing gallery closed to the public on December 31, 2024.

🎙️ Radio City Tower Broadcasting Hub: Served as the broadcasting hub for Hits Radio Liverpool and Greatest Hits Radio until December 2024.

Notable Events: The tower witnessed significant broadcasting moments, including live coverage of major events and celebrity visits.

Final Broadcast: The final live broadcast from the tower took place on Christmas Eve 2024.

🏙️ Cultural Significance Iconic Status: St John's Beacon is a prominent feature of Liverpool's skyline and a symbol of the city's modern architectural heritage.

Public Perception: Despite periods of disuse, the tower has remained a beloved landmark, often referred to as "Radio City Tower" by locals.

Future Prospects: The future of the tower remains uncertain, with discussions about its potential...

Ascending the Radio City Tower in Liverpool unveils a mesmerizing tapestry of the city below. The panoramic view is nothing short of breathtaking, with iconic landmarks and the meandering River Mersey painting a vivid portrait. The observation deck offers a 360-degree spectacle, capturing the essence of Liverpool in all its dynamic glory.

What truly enhances this experience is the staff's exceptional friendliness and professionalism. Each member seems genuinely invested in ensuring visitors have an enriching time. Their knowledge about the city's history and landmarks adds an extra layer of depth to the view, transforming it into a narrated journey through Liverpool's past and present. The staff's passion for their work shines through, creating an engaging and personalized encounter.

Moreover, the professionalism exhibited by the staff contributes to a seamless and enjoyable visit. From assisting with inquiries to providing insightful commentary, they strike a balance between being approachable and maintaining a level of expertise. This blend of friendliness and professionalism elevates the overall experience, making the Radio City Tower not just an observation point but a destination where the staff actively enrich your understanding of the city while ensuring your visit is both pleasant and...

Great 360 views from the top, you can see the football stadiums, docks, Mersey, cathedral, bombed out church, rooftop bars, various shopping areas. At £7 it isn't ridiculously expensive, even for those who aren't up there long. I had a lovely lady up there with me giving me some facts on a few of the places I could see, feel free to ask a few questions, or do you own thing, up to you

There is no cafe/bar up there, it is literally viewing gallery only, so bring a drink up with you if you will stay a while. Also, if you bring a set of binoculars, you'll be able to see further afield, though I could still see right over to new Brighton lighthouse without a pair. There are no telescope devices up there like on sea fronts.

Despite there being prebooking site, it actually isn't that strict. You can actually stay up there as long as you like if it's not busy. Also, the lift doesn't take too long so the staff are happy to take you up/down without having to wait much for anyone else

IMPORTANT: the entrance is on the outside of the St John's market building, several people have already uploaded pics to highlight this. For any disabled visitors, it is possible to enter without...