The Old Blind School

Nichola Jacques
Black and white illustration of Liverpool's Trade Union building
Illustration courtesy of Will Berry

This venue is permanently closed. Find other nearby venues.

Liverpool School for the Blind, a place with a layered history.

In the shadow of the Philharmonic Hall a building lies dormant. “I’ve been waiting,” reads a spray-painted note in one of its windows. The dilapidated exterior, bearing the marks of several historic occupancies, will tell you a fair amount about this structure. Part neo-Classical (the old brown bit), part Art Deco (the new white bit) this is an architectural hybrid whose form echoes a multifaceted past.

So what is this place? Good question. A convenient commemorative plaque at the main entrance on Hardman Street tells us this is the Liverpool School for the Blind. Founded in 1791 by Edward Rushton – whose own sight was impaired after he contracted ophthalmia – this was the first school of its kind in Britain, second in the world after Paris. A row of bas-relief sculptures, the work of John Skeaping, first husband of Barbara Hepworth and a leading figure of modern British sculpture in the mid-20th century, depict the trades taught here: brush-making, Braille, basket weaving, piano tuning, knitting.

Extend your gaze upwards beyond the plaque, however, and a red banner notes that this is the Merseyside Trade Union, Community and Unemployed Resource Centre. That explains the sticker peering out from the upstairs window, then. “Don’t smash our working conditions or grab our pensions,” it reads, in fierce capitals.

It was on this site, between 1984 and 2004, that a legendary independent music venue thrived. Developed in the context of high unemployment and with funding from artists including Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Pete Townshend (namesake of the Pinball recording studio), The Picket provided opportunities for upcoming artists to perform and record. The La’s, Space and The Wombats all launched their careers here, as did The Coral. The man who spotted them was Alan Wills, Deltasonic Records’ boss whose untimely and tragic death shook the music world to its core. The Picket now stands on Jordan Street after private development forced it to relocate in 2006.

 

24 Hardman StreetLiverpoolL1 9AX View map

Opening Hours

  • Monday10:00am - 12:00am
  • Tuesday10:00am - 12:00am
  • Wednesday10:00am - 12:00am
  • Thursday10:00am - 12:00am
  • Friday10:00am - 1:00am
  • Saturday10:00am - 1:00am
  • Sunday12:00pm - 10:00am

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near The Old Blind School

Until
ActivityLiverpool
Old Dock Tours, Liverpool

The Old Dock tour is a treat for younger and older visitors alike, fans of Liverpool’s maritime past, and anybody curious about local history.

£8.50 with concessions
Until
ComedyManchester
Creatures of the Night Comedy Club

An insanely committed seven-nights-a-week, Creatures of the Night Comedy Club opens its doors (20.30-22.30 typically, though please check) for evening after evening of side-splitting comedy.

from £5.00
Until
ComedyManchester
The Comedy Vault

Every Monday night upstairs at Fierce Bar, The Comedy Vault hosts an outrageously funny open-mic night. Come and try your hand or just to watch and laugh.

free entry
Until
ComedyManchester
Comedy Balloon

Every Wednesday at Ape & Apple, Manchester’s official underground comedy club, Comedy Balloon’s friendly and warm comedy night takes place.

free entry

Where to go near The Old Blind School

Ripley's Believe It Or Not
Blackpool
Museum
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not

Located at Blackpool Pleasure Beach resort, this museum of oddities is the perfect place for families to discover the strange, the unusual and the extraordinary.

Image courtesy of Saoko Cocktail Bar.
Blackpool
Restaurant
Saoko Cocktail Club

This cocktail bar may be the new kid on the Blackpool block, but it’s already renowned for its excellent service and imaginative drinks that offer an ‘experience and a story’.

Little Black Pug by Ian Jones.
Blackpool
Restaurant
Little Black Pug

Head to Balckpool’s Little Black Pug for an historic, laid-back, family-friendly pub with a huge malt whiskey collection.

Ian Jones.
Blackpool
Shop
Aunty Social

Both a lifestyle store and a community arts hub, Aunty Social showcases the very best of Blackpool’s creative community. A great spot to pick up lovingly-made gifts.

Exterior of fish and chip shop
Blackpool
Restaurant
Harrowside Fish & Chips

Winner of the Good Food Award’s coveted Chippy of the Year award on multiple occasions, Harrowside is a great choice for fish and chips in Blackpool.

Ladies eating Fish and Chips
Blackpool
Restaurant
C Fresh

C Fresh is an old school, decidedly affordable chippy near Blackpool prom, consistently busy with locals – a sure-fire sign it’s doing something right.

Twisted
Blackpool
Restaurant
Twisted Indian Street Food

Blackpool’s number one Indian restaurant, Twisted Indian packs a flavour punch and isn’t afraid to mix the traditional with the modern. Their motto? ‘Being normal is boring.’

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in Manchester and the North

Alongside experimental performance, new writing and free arts festivals, we take a look at some of the Christmas shows happening in the North.