History
The building was originally an Owen Owen warehouse, which was purchased by steel magnate James Spencer in the late 1980s to convert into a nightclub and snooker hall. A "Heritage Market" was opened shortly after to make use of the large unused lower floor space at the rear. After the Sunday market trade had moved to a nearby dock warehouse (Stanley Market), Quadrant Park started holding all night raves in the then-vacant space. Quadrant Park's main period of activity began in early January 1990 and survived until 31st December 1991, despite considerable and persistent licensing issues and unfavourable media attention in newspapers.
Mike Knowler was the initial resident DJ, and soon invited DJ partner Andy Carroll to join him. Carroll and Knowler had previously helped bring acid house music to the city of Liverpool, DJ-ing at the The State nightclub in Dale Street. Guest DJs at Quadrant Park included Laurent Garnier, Derrick May, Frankie Bones, and Sasha. When the all-nighter opened,{November 1990} John Kelly, James Barton and Gary Jay joined the resident DJ crew. A loop-hole in a Sefton council licencing law enabled Quadrant Park to be the only legal all-night rave in the UK.{Jocks magazine December 1990}} Some party goers would travel long distances to get to the venue; from London, Glasgow, Birmingham and even as far away as Aberdeen.
Everyone of a certain age in Liverpool went there, even those slightly under the legal drinking age. Not much drinking went on there.
The building has since been demolished and has been replaced with a waste recycling centre.
Read more about this topic: Quadrant Park
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