Get to know Liverpool better - Penny Lane
In July 2006, a Liverpool Councillor proposed renaming certain streets because their names were linked to the slave trade. It was soon discovered that Penny Lane was possibly named after James Penny, a wealthy 18th century slave ship owner and strong opponent of abolitionism. Ultimately, city officials decided to forego the name change and re-evaluate the entire renaming process. On 10 July 2006, Liverpool officials said they would modify the proposal to exclude Penny Lane.
Penny Lane applies to the area surrounding the street of the same name. It was the location for one of the main bus termini for several routes, and buses with "Penny Lane" displayed were common throughout Liverpool.
The street gained international fame in 1967 when the Beatles released their song "Penny Lane", written in tribute to the band members' upbringing in Liverpool.
Released in February 1967, the song was a number 1 hit in many charts around the world.
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| John Lennon bronze statue by Laura Lian (temporarily on Penny Lane) |
Allerton Road features in the Beatles' song, "Penny Lane". The 'shelter in the middle of the roundabout', the barber shop and possibly the bank (whose banker 'never wears a Mac') mentioned in the song are all located on Smithdown Place, Mossley Hill, which is at the junction of Allerton Road, Penny Lane and Smithdown Road.
The Bus Shelter
The shelter is located on its own island, which is "the shelter in the middle of a roundabout" referred to in the song. It was converted into a bistro. The terminus at Penny Lane included a purpose-built bus shelter, with a waiting room and toilets. Following privatisation, the Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive bus depot, slightly up the hill past Bioletti's barbershop, was demolished and replaced with a shopping precinct complete with a supermarket and a public house. In the 1980s, the bus shelter was bought privately and converted to the Sergeant Pepper's Bistro. It subsequently closed and remained out of commission until 2015, when it underwent refurbishment with the aim of reopening as a restaurant, although it was still not open.
Now occupies the location of the Bioletti's barbershop mentioned in the song "Penny Lane".
Fire Station
The fireman and fire engine referred to in the lyrics are the fire station at Mather Avenue, which is close to Penny Lane.
Penny Lane street sign
The street has long been sought out by Beatles fans touring Liverpool. In the past, street signs saying "Penny Lane" were constant targets of tourist theft and had to be continually replaced. City officials gave up and simply began painting the street name on the sides of buildings. This practice was stopped in 2007 and more theft-resistant "Penny Lane" street signs have since been installed, although some are still stolen.
The Penny Lane area has acquired a level of trendiness and desirability. The "alternative" businesses (wholefood outlets, charity shops), the now expanded array of cafés, bars, bistros and takeaway food emporiums, as well as traditional businesses (WHSmith and Clarke's cake shop), make the neighbourhood the most sought-after among Liverpool's large student population.
Penny Lane was NOT named after James Penny, a slave trader as Wikipedia wrongly quotes.
Penny Lane Records
Its simple black-and-white plastic bag design was a common sight at this popular record store's height.
As well as Penny Lane , it had a city centre outlet in Church Street.
The current site is boarded up - but there is a licensing application which could see a new business opening there soon.
Penny Lane Wine Bar
wine bar known as Harper's Bizarre, formerly a doctors' surgery, previously Drs Walton, Endbinder and Partners; the practice moved to Smithdown Place in the 1980s.
Dovedale Towers pub, The Dovey
60 Penny Lane, Liverpool L18 1DG
On the corner of Dovedale Road and Penny Lane. It was closed for business in 2010, reopening in 2012. It's been open since the 1800s and has hosted famous faces and travellers from around the world. A staple in the history of Penny Lane, The Dovedale Towers, affectionately known as The Dovey, is loved throughout Liverpool.
Another pub well known for its Beatles connections - the Quarrymen, John Lennon's boyhood band, played here, its decor alone is worth the trip.
Tiled floors and ornate wooden pillars make this a grand backdrop for a drink, while the addition of white tiles to the walls has given it a lift and stopped it from feeling gloomy.
The pub was originally known as Grove House, before being taken over by Andrew Kurtz, a renowned patron of the arts in Liverpool and a talented pianist.
It’s clear from the start that The Dovey would be a place for musicians to perform - just as Andrew did; he’s even featured in The Walker Art Gallery.
After he passed away, Grove House became an orphanage, The Home for Incurable Children.
It was during World War Two that the venue became known as ‘Barneys’, hosting dances and balls for locals and visiting troops as St Barnabas' Church Hall.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney played the venue several times with The Quarrymen in 1957; Paul even sung in the St Barnabas’ Church choir, which he revealed during his Carpool Karaoke with James Corden last year.
In the ‘60s, the property passed into the hands of the Higgins family, who renamed Grove House to The Dovedale Towers after a long demolished tower that could be viewed from the Mersey.
The Higgins’ son, Geoff, was a prominent member of the local music scene who became a roadie and manager for band Ibex, later The Wreckage - which was lead by Farrouk Bulsara.
Jonathan went on to say: “Farrouk had moved to Liverpool from London to find fame and Geoff offered him digs above his parent's pub.
“The offer was gratefully taken by the man who would go on to become Freddie Mercury, and he lived in what is now our events space from 1969-1970.
“The Wreckage didn’t last too long, but on September 9, 1969 Freddie was joined on stage by guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor for the first time at The Sink on Hardman Street.”
Now the room that was formerly Freddie’s bedroom is a 180-seat event space that pays homage to the building's past.
Throughout the 70s and 80s The Dovey was home to many different venues - and featured many different names - before closing its doors in 2009.
Jonathan said: “Old Ropewalks and Michael Girling took over in 2010 and brought The Dovey back to life as a thriving community and destination pub.
“We have close relationships with local businesses such as Homebaked and breweries such as Red Star Brewery, as well as our guests, to help create a sense of identity and character, a sense of being someplace, not just any place. Not unlike Liverpool itself.”
These days, The Dovey is as much a staple of the Penny Lane community as ever - and it's stunning beer garden certainly doesn't go amiss on a sunny day.
The Dovey has some homely touches as well, from old annuals and games to vintage cabinets and, of course, a fox draped in a Union flag.
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| St Barnabas Penny Lane |
Dovedale Primary School
This was the school of notable Liverpudlians George Harrison, John Lennon, Peter Sissons, Jimmy Tarbuck and John Power.
Liverpool College
Until 2013 a fee-paying independent school is also located within the area.
This was the school of notable Liverpudlians George Harrison, John Lennon, Peter Sissons, Jimmy Tarbuck and John Power.
Liverpool College
Until 2013 a fee-paying independent school is also located within the area.
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| Mural on The Penny Lane Development Trust |
Penny Lane Emporium
The Substation, Smithdown Rd, Liverpool L15 5AF
Anyone familiar with South Liverpool or in fact Smithdown Road, will know about Penny Lane Emporium packed with a selection of retail units all selling a mixture of antiques and upcycled furniture. There is also collectible items and jewellery, as well as other household goods.
Buses from Penny Lane / Allerton Road route as follows:
62 to Crosby
68 from Aigburth to Bootle
75 and 76 from the city centre to Halewood
80 and 80A
86 and 86A from the city centre to Garston and Liverpool Airport
Services 80A and 86A are the only bus services that connect Mossley Hill with the airport.
The Substation, Smithdown Rd, Liverpool L15 5AF
Anyone familiar with South Liverpool or in fact Smithdown Road, will know about Penny Lane Emporium packed with a selection of retail units all selling a mixture of antiques and upcycled furniture. There is also collectible items and jewellery, as well as other household goods.
Buses from Penny Lane / Allerton Road route as follows:
62 to Crosby
68 from Aigburth to Bootle
75 and 76 from the city centre to Halewood
80 and 80A
86 and 86A from the city centre to Garston and Liverpool Airport
Services 80A and 86A are the only bus services that connect Mossley Hill with the airport.
Take a walk along Penny Lane (moving picture) :