Grand Central Hall is one of Liverpool’s best-hidden secrets. The hall is a stunning Victorian Theatre, which can accommodate up to 1,200 people. The hall is quite the spectacle and boasts the oldest working Grand Pipe Organ in the North West. When news of the restoration circulated around Liverpool, one of the original organists called to ask if he could see, and play, the organ and when he did the outcome was incredible.
Grand Central Hall was opened in 1905 as the Central Hall of the Liverpool, located on Renshaw Street in the heart of Liverpool City centre. The building was used from its opening in 1905 as a Methodist church. Since then it has been used as the New Century Picture Hall, and was then the home of the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra while the Philharmonic Hall was rebuilt.
Through the years, Grand Central Hall has had many other occupants. At one point it was used by Liverpool City Council as an Employment office. In the late eighties, an entrepreneur named Bobby Burns created and opened the Barcelona Nightclub, which today still reflects his original vision. After The Barcelona Club closed, the building sadly started to fall into disrepair, until recently when The Top Of The Town Group stepped to restore this magnificent building to its original beauty.
The stand out features of the hall are its dome, grand organ, opulent seating and wonderful decor. To the rear of the building, leading directly from the hall, are the gardens and a memorial to William Roscoe who is buried in the grounds. The gardens are being regenerated and replanted to bring them back to their former glory – a quite fitting entrance to such a grand space. The hall is also home to the largest video screen outside of Wembley and will show all major sporting events. The hall will hold live music events, theatre productions, pantomimes and even weddings or functions.
