As testament to the importance of its design, which was described by Historic England as "embodying the technological bravura and spirit of the space age", the building was listed at Grade II in November 2020.

Often considered to be an eyesore or a white elephant by fellow Liverpudlians, blue "UFO style" neon strip lights were added to the perimeter of the tower in 1994 in an attempt to increase its attractiveness.

This is a design feature and common in construction within skyscrapers and tall buildings in order to prevent structural damage from wind pressure.

Lights were added under the base of the crow's nest structure, which are illuminated all day and periodically change colour.

The refurbishment added an advertising framework at the top of the tower, designed for both a fabric banner and illuminated light boxes.

Window cleaning and exterior maintenance is performed by specialist teams, who abseil down the side of the tower from the roof.

Radio City Talk ceased broadcasting on 31 May 2020, after it was deemed not financially viable due to low listening figures.

On 28 October 2024, Bauer Media announced that it would be vacating St Johns Beacon after 24 years, following a decision not to renew the lease.

In late June 2020, ZipWorldUK proposed plans for a permanent £5 million zip wire to be installed in Liverpool City Centre, which would have started from the second floor of the Beacon and end on the roof of the Central Library.

The project attracted mixed public opinions, with many people claiming that it would be a permanent defacing of one of the city's world famous landmarks.

[citation needed] Others expressed concerns that the noise of the zip wire could disturb library users.