Clik here to view.
Blackler’s Santa is on display until 30 December.
Anyone who has visited the Museum of Liverpool over the past couple of weeks could not fail to notice our giant new addition! The 18 foot Blackler’s Santa stands proudly in the Atrium and greets visitors with his jumbo smile.
Visitors have been thrilled to be reacquainted with this symbol of their childhood and he has been winning new fans too as a younger generation meet this Liverpool icon.
Clik here to view.
The Blackler’s Santa was originally made in 1957, by Peter Blazey and his colleagues in the Blackler’s display studio.
We’ve had some wonderful responses on social media from visitors:
“I always thought Blackler’s had the best grotto and the best Father Christmas. Happy memories”
“I remember him well. He looked absolutely enormous, but I loved him as a child and will be going to take a look at him. Brings back some lovely memories.”
“That’s very cheering news, will bring back memories for so many people. Nearly every kid in Liverpool went to Blackler’s grotto.”
The love for the big man has inspired our Education team to develop some special events which will give people the opportunity to share their own memories and get into a festive mood!
Events:
In conversation with Peter Blazey
Wednesday 7 Dec
12.30
“We used to start putting him up when the store closed at 5.30. We’d move Father Christmas in and be working until it was finished, it might be 2 o’clock in the morning. But when the store opened at 9 o’clock Father Christmas was standing there in all his glory!”
The Blackler’s Santa was made by artist, Peter Blazey who worked at the store for 34 years. Join us as Peter shares tales from the department store’s display studio and discover just how he built a five metre high Father Christmas which would become such a hit with shoppers.
Memories of Blackler’s
Wednesday 7 December
12.30-3.30pm
Blackler’s was a well-known and loved department store in Liverpool, famous for its elaborate Christmas grotto. Do you remember visiting it? What was the most unusual item sold there? Did you visit Santa? This is a chance to share your memories and photographs of this iconic building with staff at the Museum and other visitors. There will be an opportunity to take part in craft activities, spotlight talks and even a Christmas singalong.
Spotlight on Blackler’s
Wednesday 7 December
1.30pm & 3pm
Join a Visitor Host for a Blackler’s-inspired reminiscence talk. Find out more about one of the most memorable department stores in Liverpool.
Christmas Crafternoons
Saturday 10, 21, 22 & 23 December
1-4pm
Join us throughout December when our craft sessions take a festive turn. Make, colour, cut and stick in the lead up to Christmas inspired by the Blackler’s Santa.
Magical History
Sunday 11 & 18 December
1.30-2.30pm
Find out more about our galleries and displays with our Education team with a special focus on Blackler’s and its giant Santa.
We have Christmas activities going on across all the venues over the next few weeks, plenty of gift ideas in the shops and you can even start the Christmas countdown with our online advent calendar.