Blackler’s Santa is back at Museum of Liverpool

Liverpool’s festive favourite, Blacker’s Santa, will once again be welcoming visitors to the Museum of Liverpool.

With hopes of reopening the museum after lockdown, and in line with government guidelines, their festive favourite will delight and uplift visitors amid what has been a very uncertain time.

Since arriving into National Museums Liverpool’s collection in 2013, Santa has delighted visitors towering over the Museum of Liverpool’s atrium during the festive period and welcoming families in from the cold.

Made in 1957, (which makes him 63 years young), by Peter Blazey and his colleagues in the Blackler’s Display Studio.  Santa was originally part of the famous Winter Wonderland Grotto experience until the store sadly closed in 1988.

Peter kindly donated his head, hands and boots to the Museum, before faithfully restoring him. The transformation, which was generously funded by former Trustees of National Museums Liverpool, Phil and Alexis Redmond,  included a faithful recreation of his body and costume.

Kate Johnson, Head of the Museum of Liverpool said:

‘We are delighted to have Blackler’s Santa back on display for the fifth year running. He brings festive cheer every year to us all.

‘We love hearing our visitors’ stories about how much they loved seeing Santa on display in the famous Blackler’s department store. It’s wonderful that he is back this Christmas time to bring those memories back for our visitors, whilst creating new ones for the younger generation.’

Santa Stats:

• Height – 18ft / just over five metres
• Chest – circumference 16ft / nearly five metres
• Waist – a little less than five metres (before Christmas lunch)
• Boot size – Size 45
• Head, hands and boots – made of plaster and a little Christmas magic
• Body – cane on a plywood frame

Things might be a little different this year, but Santa is still spending time with them. For all those wondering where Santa is kept the rest of the year, it’s the North Pole of course.

Did you visit Santa when he lived at Blackler’s Department Store or in the Museum of Liverpool when he was on display? If you did, they would love for you to share your photos and stories on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, remember to tag @MuseumLiverpool and @NML_Muse.

While their museums and galleries are currently closed, explore the venues at your own pace with online 3D virtual tours https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/virtual-tours.