Why ours is the real Beatles hotel

Mar 26 2007 by Mike Chapple, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL'S soon-to-open Hard Day’s Night hotel won’t be the first Beatles-themed establishment to open, as Mike Chapple discovered on a trip to Blackpool

Since opening the couple have spent thousands transforming what was formerly called (don't laugh)  the Southern Hemisphere Experience. And although they may not have had the millions at the dipsoable of Hard Days Night they have spent their own version of a relative fortune repairing the 10 bedroom hotel and buying up Beatles relics on e-bay.

Their piece de resistance is the cellar which they've turned into their very own version of the Cavern Club complete with stage  and well stocked bar.

It's a work they're extremely proud of - a factor which led to their public protest about the Hard Days Night's aformentioned claim.

"We were just a bit miffed they were claiming that they had the first Beatles themed hotel when we were there before them," said 52-year-old Rugby-born Pete, a former lorry driver and pub landlord. "The thing is we never claimed to be the first anyway because we knew someone somehwere else would have the same idea although as far as I know this is  the only one in Blackpool."

He and Bradford-born Trish have a typically pragmatic Northern way of looking at their project.

"People are not going to bypass to Liverpool to get to me," explained Pete while Trish chipped in "We love the Beatles but don't get me wrong, we're not trainspotters about it."

Unlike me. However they did resolve to do a bit more swotting up about the Beatles and their profound Blackpool connection.

And they extended an invitation to Bill  Heckle and his wife to have free bed and breakfast at Strawberry Fields to show there was no hard feelings.

Back in Liverpool, the Cavern City Tours supremo politely declined the offer.

"It's very nice of them, though" he said. "Mind you if it was in  San Diego  ......"

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