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Structural change as beacon of Liverpool radio quits the tower
The Guardian
|December 24, 2024
It is known across Liverpool as the Radio City Tower but that moniker might not be around much longer as the iconic structure hosts its final live broadcast today.
Microphone cables are being bundled up and heaving contacts books packed into boxes, leaving empty what is arguably the most famous building on the city's skyline - St Johns Beacon, to use its proper name.
Built in 1969, originally as a luxury revolving restaurant - one visited by Queen Elizabeth II - the tower was listed Grade II in 2020, with Historic England describing it as "embodying the technological bravura and spirit of the space age".
From the mid-80s it was mostly empty after it became apparent that a kitchen more than 100 metres in the air with two lift shafts and 558 stairs posed a fire hazard.
In 2000, it was saved from dereliction when it became home to Radio City and emblazoned with the words "Radio City 96.7" large enough to be seen across the city.
"It was great excitement when we actually moved to the tower," said Molly Marshall, who in effect managed the station's office in various roles over the years. "A helicopter came around and took a picture of us all waving from the top of the tower."
This story is from the December 24, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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