Liverpool’s Beatles Story lines up move to 100,000 sq ft new home
In 2028, the attraction will relocate from Albert Dock to the former St John’s Market, with St John’s Beacon in line to become an immersive Yellow Submarine Experience alongside it.
Apple Corps, the multimedia conglomerate owned by Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and the estates of John Lennon and George Harrison, is behind the plans, unveiled today.
The move will see the size of The Beatles Story quadruple and will feature immersive technology, original artefacts, and reconstructed sets, according to Apple Corps.
“Liverpool birthed the greatest band in history and today we are announcing a new experience in the city that does justice to that legacy,” Apple Corps’ chief executive Tom Greene said.
“Just like Graceland or Dollywood, it’s fitting that The Beatles will have a world class destination for fans to visit in the centre of the city where the story started. It marks a new chapter in Apple Corp’s history and we can’t wait for people to see what we’ve been working on.”
Paul McCartney said: “I find it incredible and humbling that people are still interested in our story and it’s very exciting to me that The Beatles Story and The Beacon are being transformed in such an exciting way in the heart of Liverpool city.
“I love Liverpool. It’s part of who I am, it’s part of who The Beatles are. If you’d told us this was going to happen when we were hanging out and getting started we’d never have believed it.”
The former St John’s Market closed in March 2024 after the city council cancelled traders’ tenancies over unpaid rent and service charges.
Avison Young was appointed by the council and the shopping centre’s landlord Rivington Hark to find an occupier for the space, which offers accommodation across three levels within St John’s.
The future of St John’s Beacon, or Radio City Tower, has also been up in the air after Bauer Media opted not to renew its lease and moved out at the back end of 2024.
The Apple Corps deal will see both assets, totalling in excess of 100,000 sq ft, brought back into use.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “The Beatles belong to the world – but Liverpool will always be home. Their music changed popular culture forever and carried the name of our city to every corner of the globe, so it feels absolutely right that the definitive Beatles experience should be here, in the place where it all began.
“People already travel halfway around the globe to visit the birthplace of four lads that shook the earth. These plans take that extraordinary pull to another level – creating a world-class destination that will give millions more fans a reason to make the pilgrimage to their spiritual home and experience the city, its music and its culture for themselves.”
Even Prime Minister Andy Burnham wanted to have a say on the plans.
“The Beatles are one of the greatest examples of what Britain can give to the world. Four young men from Liverpool changed music and popular culture forever – and, more than sixty years later, their story is still a source of enormous pride for this city and for our whole country.
“This is the kind of ambition I want to see more of across Britain: backing the things our great cities do best and turning that global reputation into jobs, opportunity and growth. This will be a world-class addition to Liverpool and another showcase for British music and creativity on the international stage.”
