There really are so many hidden places of fascination dotted around Liverpool and I came across one of them yesterday while photographing a Victorian warehouse for their new website. The building, situated down by the docks, is in use as a fully functioning modern storage facility for wine and spirits set in an ancient building with a dark-as-night basement accessed via a rickety vintage lift. Once I’d been shown round all the floors that needed photographing I was left to my own devices and headed down in the lift to the basement.
![](https://blog.vjtphotography.co.uk/files/2016/12/rum6-1024x683.jpg)
It was pitch black, save one or two tiny lights dotted around, and so cold and eerily quiet. I’d come prepared – this was a job for a tripod and a very long exposure, if only I could see what I was doing!
![](https://blog.vjtphotography.co.uk/files/2016/12/rum5-1024x683.jpg)
In some of the darkest areas of the basement a 30 second exposure was necessary to gather enough light.
![](https://blog.vjtphotography.co.uk/files/2016/12/rum3-1024x683.jpg)
Looking at the rusty doors and pillars, it’s hard to imagine how this place would have looked in its heyday.
![](https://blog.vjtphotography.co.uk/files/2016/12/rum1-1024x683.jpg)
It came as no surprise to me to learn that the basement was used as a set for Peaky Blinders. The headquarters of gang landlord Alfie Solomons and his illegal alcohol business were set here amongst all the abandoned barrels.
![](https://blog.vjtphotography.co.uk/files/2016/12/rum4-1024x683.jpg)
Ancient barrels of rum lay all over the floor and lots of new barrels too.
![](https://blog.vjtphotography.co.uk/files/2016/12/rum2-1024x683.jpg)
It looks well lit in the photographs but I can assure you that it wasn’t. A creepily beautiful basement.