Apple Corps plans expanded Beatles Story attraction in central Liverpool for 2028
In short
Apple Corps Ltd., the company that oversees The Beatles' business interests, announced plans on Oct. 20 for an expanded version of The Beatles Story museum in central Liverpool in 2028. It would move from the docklands to the former St. John's Market, a 100,000-square-foot site.
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Plans were announced Tuesday for a new visitor attraction in Liverpool that backers say will give the city a tourist draw about The Beatles to rival Elvis Presley's Graceland and Dolly Parton's Dollywood, the Associated Press reported. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Apple Corps Ltd., the company that oversees The Beatles' business interests, said an expanded version of The Beatles Story museum is coming to the center of Liverpool in 2028. It is scheduled to open soon after the release of Sam Mendes' quartet of feature films about John, Paul, George and Ringo, which are expected to unleash a new wave of global interest in the band. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Under the plan, Apple Corps will take over The Beatles Story and move it from its current home in Liverpool's docklands to the former St. John's Market. The site covers 100,000 square feet (9,290 square meters) and lies across from the city's main Lime Street train station. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Apple Corps said the new venue will use "immersive technology, original artifacts and spectacular reconstructed sets". Visitors will be taken from the band members' childhoods in postwar Liverpool through their years in the bars of Hamburg, Germany, to "Beatlemania" and global fame. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Sets and props from Mendes' movies will create versions of Liverpool's Cavern Club, the Abbey Road studios in London and Shea Stadium, the site of the band's 1965 performance. The nearby St Johns Beacon, a 400-foot (122-meter) former radio tower, will be turned into a tourist attraction inspired by the band's song and animated movie "Yellow Submarine", offering views over the city. [ 2 , 3 ]
"Just like Graceland or Dollywood, it's fitting that The Beatles will have a world class destination for fans to visit in the center of the city where the story started," Apple Corps chief executive Tom Greene said. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
Backers say the attraction will give Liverpool a tourist draw to rival Graceland and Dollywood. It is scheduled to open soon after the release of Sam Mendes' four Beatles films, which are expected to bring new global interest in the band.
Key facts
- Apple Corps Ltd. announced plans for an expanded Beatles Story museum in the center of Liverpool, due in 2028. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Apple Corps will take over The Beatles Story and move it from its current home in Liverpool's docklands to the former St. John's Market, a 100,000-square-foot (9,290-square-meter) site across from Lime Street train station. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The opening is scheduled soon after the release of Sam Mendes' quartet of feature films about John, Paul, George and Ringo. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Apple Corps said the venue will use immersive technology, original artifacts and reconstructed sets. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Sets and props from Mendes' films will create versions of the Cavern Club, Abbey Road studios and Shea Stadium. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The nearby St Johns Beacon, a 400-foot (122-meter) former radio tower, will become a tourist attraction inspired by "Yellow Submarine", offering views over the city. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Nothing is confirmed by two independent outlets yet.
Still unclear
- Whether the attraction will rival Graceland and Dollywood as backers say. The comparison comes from backers and from Apple Corps' chief executive; the documents give no independent assessment.
- Apple Corps Ltd. said an expanded Beatles Story museum is coming to the center of Liverpool in 2028, moving to the former St. John's Market. Reported by a single source so far
- Chief executive Tom Greene said it is fitting that The Beatles will have a world class destination for fans in the center of the city where the story started. Reported by a single source so far