New Brighton Tower / ball room

[THE BOSS]

New Brighton Tower was a 172.8 metre (567ft) lattice-steel observation tower in New Brighton, Wirral.
Work began on 22 June 1896 and was completed four years later. The tower, which weighed 1,000 tons, had an octangular cross section unlike Blackpool Tower (which is four sided). On completion the tower was the highest building in the country.
Nevertheless, the tower had a chequered history, six workmen were killed and another seriously injured during its construction. A young man committed suicide by jumping off the balcony shortly after the Tower's opening.
The tower had a relatively short life. During WWI it was closed to the public. Lack of maintenance caused the steel superstructure to rust. Between 1919 and 1921 the tower was dismantled.
Beneath New Brighton Tower was a ballroom. Many famous acts played there including Little Richard and The Beatles.This building was destroyed by fire in 1969.
The area where New Brighton Tower once stood has since been redeveloped as River View Park.











Mersey from New Brighton Tower