Pier Head terminal to bear Gerry Marsden’s name
People across the Liverpool city region have given their backing to a plan to rename the Mersey Ferries terminal at the Pier Head after Merseybeat legend Gerry Marsden. Tony McDonough reports
A plan to rename the Mersey Ferries terminal at the Pier Head after music legend Gerry Marsden is to go ahead after receiving overwhelming public backing.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram unveiled proposals in October last year to rename the Pier Head ferry terminal in Liverpool to celebrate the legacy of the Merseybeat legend who was lead singer of Gerry and the Pacemakers and died in January 2021.
The band’s recording of Ferry Cross the Mersey is now part of Liverpool folklore and the song is regularly played on board the world famous ferries. Their recording of Rogers and Hammerstein’s You’ll Never Walk Alone is also played at the beginning of every Liverpool FC match at Anfield.
A public consultation on the idea yielded more than 1,000 responses with more than two thirds in favour of the proposal. Once approved, the new name will be commemorated in a re-naming ceremony later this year.
Gerry was given the honorary Freedom of the Ferries award in 1985 in recognition of his special connection with the historic river service. His daughter Yvette Marbeck said: “Dad would be honoured and humbled at the suggestion of renaming the ferry terminal after him.
“The public response has been overwhelmingly positive, and our family are very grateful for the kindness and support we have received from the people of the Liverpool city region”
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee will be asked to endorse the re-naming at its meeting on Thursday, January 12. Mr Rotheram said: “Gerry was a truly iconic figure whose music helped put our region on the cultural map. His words have forever immortalised our famous Mersey Ferry.
“I can think of no more fitting celebration of his life and impact than naming our Pier Head ferry terminal after the great man. We look forward to welcoming local people and visitors from across the globe to Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal where his name – like his music – will live on for generations.”