Simpson Fountain

On the corner of the Strand and Chapel Street built into the Georges Dock Gates wall below the Church of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas is the Simpson Fountain.

William Shaw Simpson was a well known character in Liverpool, known as a person willing to help anyone. He was born in Lancaster in 1829.  He owned a refreshment stall on the Princes landing stage of the ferries on the river Mersey which he ran from 1857 until his death.On a number of occasions he placed a large bowl outside his cafe to collect money for various charities dedicated to the alleviation of distress of the poor including striking South Wales miners and families affected by the famine in Ireland.  Because of the number of passengers using the ferries he raised thousands of pounds. The bowl became famous and was known as the ‘Simpson bowl’.

The fountain was erected in his memory.....its located against the outside wall of the grounds of St. Nicholas Church about half a mile from the site of his cafe and was unveiled in July 1885 by Sir James A Picton. The fountain is a grade II listed building through English Heritage.