Minton-tiled floor at St George's Hall unveiled
Visitors to Liverpool's St George's Hall will be able to walk on its Minton-tiled floor for the first time in several years.
The Great Hall floor, made up of 30,000 hand-crafted tiles, will be uncovered for public viewing this weekend. The preserved surface was last unveiled in 2009 when 25,000 people visited the hall to see the Minton tile design. The tiles, which were covered in the 1860s to provide a surface for dancing, can be viewed until Sunday 22 January. Visitors to the hall will be given special shoe coverings to walk on the floor which is made up of 30,000 tiles and features the city's coat of arms, along with sea nymphs and boys on dolphins. Liverpool's Lord Mayor, Councillor Frank Prendergast, said: "The Minton tiles are particularly special as they aren't on permanent display, so it's a real treat to see the beautiful detail of the floor up close. "The hall is one of Liverpool's greatest cultural assets and we want to do as much as we can to encourage people to come and visit this Grade I-listed building. "Many people don't realise what a gem they have on their doorstep, so we hope by unveiling the floor once again we'll attract thousands of new visitors who will come and experience the fantastic culture and history the hall has to offer."