News that the iconic Fort Perch Rock in New Brighton is to open again later this year brought excitement to many.
The Darroch family, who own the famous Wirral landmark, were able to confirm to the ECHO they are looking forward to the coming tourist season, once covid restrictions are relaxed.
We asked readers about their memories and pictures of the historic building ahead of its' reopening.
Terry McGrath used to work at the Fort in 1960 when it was owned by the Kershaw family. But his time there was cut short when he had a decorating mishap, he said: “I was eventually sacked for spilling a huge tin of silver paint over myself whilst painting the gun turrets.”
It wasn’t all bad memories for Mr McGrath, however, he added: “In 1963 Jeff Samuels and I had our 21st birthday parties in the Fort bar with our own jazz band; me on trombone; him on tuba.
“I remember the wall behind papered with fake stonework wallpaper… This was on top of 15ft thick real sandstone.”
We have all heard of a lock-in at pubs, but imagine being marooned due to a tidal lock-in.
That is just what Laura Peter wished for one night.
She said: “When me and my sister were young there was a bar there in the ’70s, even into the early ’80s, and if the tide came in you could hope for a ‘lock-in’.
“One time we were there having fun and due home, we rang home and told dad ‘we’re going to be late home - the tide’s come in and we’re stuck here’.
“He said to us ‘that won’t work with me, girls; I know the Mersey tides better than clock times - tide’s on its way out and you’d better get home right now’.”
The venue has evolved and each owner has been smart at using the space for a variety of events.
Both Barbara Russell and Stuart Clay vividly recalled an exhibit of photographs showing the horrors of concentration camps.
Mr Clay said: “I remember going to the fort in the ’60s, they had a museum in the cellars about the Concentration camps. Very chilling. It made a lasting impression.”
In the 00s it was hired out as a rave venue with an ultraviolet lit disco marquee and downstairs bar.
It has also been the setting for reenactments when the Black Pearl pirates try to take over with their swashbuckling antics at Pirate Fest.
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Reader Jan Peddie, who shared her pirate pictures with us, said: "When The Black Pearl Pirates 'stormed the Fort' they put on a great show with the canons firing, and they dressed up too.
"I think it did add to the atmosphere of the Fort as most children think of it as a castle and enjoyed the event."
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