Beatles story to double in size

Jul 6 2007 By Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

BEATLES memorabilia, never before exhibited in Liverpool, will be on show in 2008, as the city’s popular Beatles Story attraction doubles in size.

The Fab Four museum on Albert Dock has announced it is planning a major expansion programme to more than double the existing floor space, providing new exhibition areas and vastly improved visitor facilities.

The new space will include an area dedicated to temporary exhibitions, which will draw from private collections all over the world.

The planned expansion will include rooms celebrating the solo careers of George and Ringo, in response to the wishes of many visitors. There will also be a number of improvements made to the existing Paul and John rooms, a hands-on interactive children’s learning centre and a café and relaxation area.

The improvements are expected to open in time for European Capital of Culture 2008.

Following on from two years of a record surge in visitor numbers, the Beatles Story now anticipates significantly greater growth in the next few years.

Much of this will be driven by the 2008 celebrations and the opening of Liverpool’s Arena and Conference Centre, the Liverpool 1 development and many new hotels as well as a number of new direct flights into Liverpool’s John Lennon airport and the opening of the city’s new cruise liner facility.

Jamie Bowman, spokesman for the Beatles Story, said: “We have a few things in the pipeline for the exhibition space, but we cannot give anything away just yet.

“This is the most exciting part of the expansion because it means there will be constant change and new exciting things arriving for special themed exhibitions.

“There is no actual expansion to the building needed, we will be utilising the basement area.”

Jerry Goldman, Director of the Beatles Story, said: “We are delighted to announce the new developments at our multi-award winning attraction. 

“The Beatles Story wholeheartedly supports Liverpool’s Capital of Culture status and we look forward to welcoming more visitors from across the globe.

“Providing translated versions of our Living History audio guide in seven languages has demonstrated the fantastic welcome we offer overseas visitors – a welcome that is unique in both Liverpool and the entire UK”.

Martin King, Director of Tourism at The Mersey Partnership said: “Such developments enhance the quality of the city’s welcome and the overall experience of visiting Liverpool.

“Developments such as this are to be applauded as they also improve the city’s reputation as a premier international visitor destination”.