The building’s stunning tiled roof can be spotted along the dock road
Liverpool has a secret Chinese “temple” hidden away up a narrow side street. As you make your way into the centre from Sefton Street, your eyes might catch the vibrant tiles perched on top of an unsuspecting white building tucked up a narrow side street.
Here, majestic green and gold tiles adorned with enigmatic creatures hover above luscious red woodwork. The mysterious building was hidden from passersby for years by surrounding warehouses, now knocked down, located between Hill Street and Pleasant Hill Street.
A casual stroll up the back alley reveals Chinese characters inscribed above the door, beneath an elaborate golden window styled in a traditional design, spelling out “Dragon Gate Garden”.
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Continue around to the back, and the intrigue deepens further. Perry Street, a lane bordered by brick industrial buildings, would often go unnoticed because of its slenderness.
Yet midway along this tight passage, guarded by spiky green fences and a thick bamboo barrier, lies a Chinese temple garden. There sits a solitary gateway featuring a bold red wooden door beneath yet another striking roof, decked out with golden tiles that mimic bamboo and dragons prowling along the ridgeline.
Behind this entrance lies an amphitheatre set before the main temple building. It sports a vibrant red door and a golden gable to break up the plain white facade.
However, contrary to expectations, this remarkable structure isn’t a place of worship; it was actually created as the “Dragon Theatre” by Novas Ou in the mid-2000s
The building eventually changed hands and briefly operated as a yoga studio, before being owned by neighbouring business Wray Brothers. Founded by Toxteth-born brothers Mark and Graham Wray, the company originated as “Willy Wiper”, supplying rags to the cleaning industry.
Over time, Wray Bros expanded its operations and now distributes cleaning supplies and workwear nationwide. The old warehouse buildings, situated between Pleasant Hill Street and Perry Street, have been repurposed as the company’s headquarters and storage facilities.
The adjacent theatre has been transformed into a photographic and video studio, where Wray’s team produces content for its catalogues and website.
The interior features a minimalist white space with a suspended ceiling, a central wooden structure for photography, and a moving catwalk for capturing “walking shots” of models showcasing the company’s work attire. When it is not being use for this purpose, the Chinese Theatre, now part of a complex of studios, is rented out by the brothers to the creative industry including Liverpool’s Theatre School.
No remnants of the building’s Chinese heritage are visible – at least not inside.
