Liverpool waterfront museums to reopen

Three major Liverpool waterfront attractions are set to reopen their doors to the public next week.

The Museum of Liverpool, Merseyside Maritime Museum and International Slavery Museum will all reopen for visits from Wednesday, August 19.

For now all three venues will only operate from 10am to 5pm on Wednesdays to Sundays, and strict Covid-safe measures will be in place including pre-booked timed entry, mandatory face coverings, hand sanitisers, enhanced cleaning and social distancing.

The Maritime Museum is also due to unveil a completely new gallery which was due to be opened at the end of March until the pandemic led to a nationwide lockdown.

Life on Board features shares stories of work and leisure at sea, from the merchant seamen who drove the city’s prosperity to tales of the people who sailed aboard glamorous ocean-going liners.

Highlights include the recently conserved Arandora Star ship model which has not been displayed since it was damaged during bombing in 1940, a selection of outfits belonging to passenger Gertrude Walke, which reflect the experience of women travelling by sea in the 20th Century, and a number of striking Art Deco glass panels from the Mauretania II.

Above: Life on Board opens at the Maritime Museum. Top: The Museum of Liverpool. Photos by Gareth Jones

National Museums Liverpool director Laura Pye said: “We’re so excited to reopen these venues, especially as the Maritime Museum is showcasing a new gallery which has been patiently waiting to receive visitors since March.

“Also reopening are the International Slavery Museum and Museum of Liverpool; another two venues that have remained very active, both behind the scenes in terms of collecting activity and in the campaigning spotlight, while we’ve been closed.

“The team at the Museum of Liverpool has been busy acquiring objects that will represent how local people from across our communities have responded and are being affected. A selection of these objects including several key worker ‘thank you’ banners, an LFC v Atletico Madrid programme and homemade Eid card will be on display when the museum opens.”