Antiques Roadshow Uncovers History of D-Day Craft Turned Nightclub in Liverpool
Tonight’s episode of Antiques Roadshow showcased the remarkable story of a D-Day landing craft that later became a popular Liverpool nightclub. As the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings approaches, the BBC program featured Landing Craft Tank 7074 (LCT 7074), the only surviving ship of its kind involved in the historic invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.
Presenter Mark Smith explored the vessel, which was designed to transport tanks and vehicles to the beach during the landings. The unique shape of the landing craft allowed for easy access to shallow waters, enabling troops and equipment to swiftly disembark onto land. LCT 7074 landed on Gold Beach during the D-Day operation, playing a crucial role in the liberation of France from Nazi occupation.
Following its service in World War II, the craft found a new purpose as the headquarters of the Master Mariners’ Association of Liverpool. In the late 1960s, entrepreneurs George ‘Jud’ Evans and Colin Peers purchased the vessel and transformed it into the Clubship Landfall, a vibrant nightclub moored in Salthouse Dock. The venue quickly became a popular nightlife destination, attracting visitors with its unique ambiance and lively dancefloor.
Freja Evans Swogger, daughter of George Evans, reminisced about her childhood spent on the Clubship Landfall, describing the ship as a “giant kids’ den” filled with memories of caretakers, a mischievous parrot, and the lingering scents of engine grease and stale beer. Despite its success as a nightclub, the vessel was eventually sold in the 1980s and submerged at one point.
Today, after extensive conservation efforts, the Clubship Landfall rests as a historical artifact at The D-Day Story in Portsmouth, where it continues to captivate visitors with its rich wartime and nightclub history. Antiques Roadshow’s exploration of this unique piece of Liverpool’s past sheds light on the fascinating journey of a D-Day craft turned iconic nightclub.