The Royal Albert Dock is marking its 180th anniversary, and the ECHO is looking back at the people, places, and moments that helped make it an iconic part of the city. For millions of viewers across the country, the Albert Dock became synonymous with ITV's This Morning, which was first broadcast from Liverpool on October 3, 1988, and regularly brought celebrities, presenters, and television crews to the waterfront.
This Morning's Legacy
The ground-breaking TV show, originally presented by Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, was watched by millions. During its time on the docks, it was home to a number of TV firsts – including the first ever on-air testicle and breast examinations. It was also famous for its giant outdoor weather map floating in the dock water. The programme helped put the restored dock firmly on the map, turning it into a destination known far beyond Liverpool.
Blue Bar & Grill: A Nightlife Staple
But the dock wasn't just a place people watched on their television screens. It was also somewhere to go, meet friends, and enjoy a night out, with Blue Bar & Grill becoming one of the most recognisable names in the city. In 1998 the bar became a familiar part of the Albert Dock's nightlife, attracting a mix of locals, visitors, and famous faces and adding to the area's reputation as one of the city's major social and cultural destinations. Its success later gave way to Baby Blue, a members' club situated in the restaurant's basement.
The nightlife scene on Liverpool's waterfront began to evolve, seeing people brave the cobbles for nights out there. Occupying a large part of the Edward Pavilion at the Albert Dock, the affectionately known 'Blue' was a staple for famous faces and people who "loved to be seen" throughout the noughties. Members would dress to the nines for a night at the venue, which boasted bare-brick walls and a "lounge club" feel.
Archives and Anniversary Appeal
Our archive photographs capture that era – from the This Morning studios and the stars who passed through them to the crowds enjoying nights at Blue Bar. They offer a glimpse back at a very particular chapter in the Albert Dock's story, when the waterfront was becoming one of Liverpool's defining places. As the Royal Albert Dock celebrates its 180th anniversary, we're looking back through the ECHO archives at the people, places, and moments that have helped make it such an iconic part of the city.
Members of the public are also being asked to share their personal photographs of the dock from across the decades, from nostalgic family days out in the '80s to modern-day selfies on the colonnades. From the entries, 180 will be selected to feature in a permanent digital memory book and on a bespoke Dock Shorts projection at the end of September as part of an exciting grand finale event.
