The owners of the former Radio City has announced it is leaving the tower after 24 years
Liverpool’s St Johns Beacon, which has been an iconic part of the city’s skyline since the early 70s, has been the home of Radio CIty since 2000. Yesterday it was announced Bauer Media will leave St Johns Beacon, broadcasting its final shows from there in December.
It is currently home to the Hits Radio Liverpool and Greatest Hits Radio Breakfast shows. The company renamed Radio City to Hits Radio Liverpool back in April, bringing an end to almost 50 years of broadcasting with that name.
Once the tallest building in Liverpool, the beacon’s main purpose at first was to act as a ventilation shaft to the shopping centre below. But by the 70s, it it became known for a completely different concept. Opening at the top of St Johns Beacon in 1971, the revolving Tower Restaurant welcomed customers for around a decade.
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Billed as Liverpool’s skyscraper restaurant, its owners, Empire Catering, promised it would be “one of the best in the country.” The restaurant’s unique features included a revolving floor where diners could take in the magnificent panorama of the city.
On a clear day, diners were also said to be able to see Blackpool Tower. But one brilliant image, courtesy of Jade Wright, author of The Dirty Stop Outs Guide to 1970s Liverpool, offers a rare glimpse inside the lost rotating restaurant.
Since the news broke, people have flocked to social media with suggestions as to what the tower should become. Many suggested the tower should be restored to a restaurant as it was in 1971. On Facebook, Dean Fox said: “It’s never been the Radio City Tower it’s the St John’s Beacon. Chance now to use it for better use in the city. I think a restaurant like it used to be.”
Anthony Briggs added: “Be nice as a restaurant again with great views. Hopefully it can start to revolve liked it used to.” Users on X, formerly Twitter, had a similar idea. One user wrote: “Turn it back into a restaurant. I always wanted to go when I was a youngster. Never happened!”
Another added: “Bring back the restaurant!” One user offered a different idea, suggesting the tower should be converted into a “unique Bespoke hotel”.
