'Centre of mischief' that sold stink bombs and itching powder

A lost Liverpool shop was once a "centre of mischief', selling everything from stink bombs to itching powder.

For decades, children and adults from across Merseyside and beyond would head to the famous joke shop the Wizards Den in Liverpool city centre. The shop first opened in 1900 at the Dale Street end of Moorfields before moving to the Lord Street arcade a few years later.

It returned to Moorfields in 1924 and in the latter years of its life moved and was known as The Ace Place on Dale Street. Through the years, the Wizards Den sold everything from stink bombs to itching powder, laughing bags and exploding cigarettes.

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Often referred to as a "centre of mischief," it was a place where parents took their delighted kids to spend their pocket money, or adults and comedians would get something for their latest prank. Back in the 90s, radio presenters Billy Butler and the late Wally Scott used to look back at Liverpool's past every Saturday for their column, Billy and Wally’s Mersey Memories.

In 1996, they shared their memories of heading to the Wizards Den weekly. On June 1, 1996, Wally said: "I used to spend hours in the Wizards Den and I always remember there was a little fella in there who used to serve behind the counter.

"He used to look like a wizard. He was there for years. I don't know his name but I'm sure some of the readers will remember him. And the place was like an Aladdin's cave."

He added: "I think the fella in the Wizards Den must have regretted selling stink bombs. We all used to buy them, then let them off in his show.

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"Either he became immune to the smell of them or they must have driven him up the wall. Another thing I bought there was a false cigarette. You used to walk round with this ciggie in your mouth thinking you looked brilliant."

Wally also reminisced about the time he bought cigarette bangers from the shop. He said: "Me mam always smoked five Woodies and I put a banger in one of them - it was the biggest mistake I ever made."

The Wizards Den was also a popular spot for many popular comedians from the city. Back in 2004, ahead of the launch of Smiffy's Serious Fun, a number of them shared their memories with the Liverpool ECHO.

At the time, comedian Micky Finn said the Wizards Den was one of his all-time favourite places to visit. He said: "I just loved looking around and browsing – there was always something new and daft in store.

"I would go out with my mates and we would buy plastic noses on elastic and sit in the pub wearing them. I used to spend a lot of money in joke shops – in fact, I still do."

The late Ken Dodd also said the Wizards Den had a special place in his own memories. He told the ECHO: "Oh, yes, there is a page in my memory book dedicated to that great place.

"I used to visit my friend there, one-time manager Roy Minting who went to work in theatrical costumiers. I enjoyed being an eight-year-old school boy comedian looking at rubber sledge-hammers and goofy teeth. The Wizards Den is part of the fabric of Liverpool."

Back in 1971, Liverpool City Council bought the famous shop. It wasn't that the council wanted to go into the joke industry – the actual building was wanted as part of the Moorfields development scheme taking place at the time.

At one point in time, the business became known as The Ace Place on Dale Street. It's now been years since we said goodbye to the Wizards Den - but decades on, it's still remembered fondly by those who went there.

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