Birkenhead U-Boat Story museum revamp and café approved
Not-for-profit Big Heritage CIC is behind the plans approved by Wirral Council for the Woodside Ferry Terminal attraction.
The current single-storey museum side extension to the terminal will be demolished and replaced with a three-storey building, with alterations to the wall and boundary.
Finance for the project has been drawn from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund award of £19.6m.
The aim of the project is to build an upgrade on the single-storey museum built in 2009 which has limited display space, and few staff or visitor facilities.
Access to the museum will be via a terrace and steps facing the Woodside Ferry approach. A raised walkway will be installed over the sunken U-boat enclosure.
The enclosure is to be re-modelled and landscaping installed at the former entrance building.
Plans show the museum show the building has a floor area of 6,700 sq ft which includes exhibition space on the ground and first floors, a cafe, events space, and external terrace.
On the ground floor a large object display area will include an aircraft, thematic interactive displays the café, and event space opening onto the terrace with riverside views.
The first floor of the building will house immersive exhibition displays and staff facilities.
Due to defects in roof covering and waterproofing one of only four surviving U-boats, and the only one in Britain, U-534 has not been accessible to the public since the closure of the former museum on site in 2020.
Wirral Council’s planning department has approved the proposals in a delegated decision.
MGMA Architects, Sutcliffe, Curtins, and Rachel Hacking Ecology are on the project team.
Big Heritage CIC has two other heritage attractions in Birkenhead, the Wirral Transport Museum and Heritage Tramway, and Shore Road Pumping Station.
To view these plans, search for reference number APP/23/01407 on Wirral Council’s planning portal.
shock horror a maritime museum with no PC agenda and actual significant U – Boats . Delighted for them hope the improvement’s happen .
Note to the slavery obsessed Maritime Museum across the river you have totally lost your way !
By Paul
Agree with Paul
By Anonymous
As historians tell us, slavery has been part of “civilization” since records were kept. Britain was the first state in the world to abolish slavery in its territories and surpress it on the high seas. The UK and Liverpool being involved was commonplace for the time. Not a lot of folk know that.
By Anonymous
@Paul, surely you must know that the Maritime Museum is entirely different from the International Slavery Museum? Based on the name of the latter, pray tell, what should be its focus? Kindly educate yourself on the difference, that’s why museums exist in the first place!
By Anonymous
@Anonymous 11:55am…Why are you so bent out of shape by it? It’s an important part of Liverpool history however you want to dice it. Prior to the triangular trade, it was a forgettable fishing village and the bulk of its wealth came from this trade. Did you know that the last Confederate ship (the party in the conflict that fought against the abolition of slavery) surrendered in Liverpool? Don’t be so touchy. It’s history and history is messy so no need to feel guilty, defensive or retreat into selective amnesia because you would rather a narrative that’s all sunshine and butterflies, which history isn’t.
By Anonymous
Hi folks! Now that we’ve gotten our feelings out there about museums in Liverpool, let’s keep the conversation on topic about this museum in Birkenhead. Thanks – Julia
By Julia Hatmaker
I am sorry to say, the submarine exhibit was completely trashed when they sliced the boat like a salmon. The U Boat was a fabulous, but scary shape, well suited for its purpose. When it was moved, it was hardly recognisable. The plastic panels covering the interior views soon got scratched and was impossible to get photographs because of light reflections. Let’s see if they can do better this time. I count myself lucky I took the tour of the complete boat.
By Yozza H.
This looks a great attraction and the buildings light and airy, I wonder if the two sections of the Uboat will be welded back together. Really hope too that the Transport Museum gets back on it’s feet, and wouldn’t it be great if the tram could run from Birkenhead Wooside to Seacombe Ferry that would a massive attraction both for visitors and local commuters.
By Anonymous