Les Beatles déménagent : un musée XXL et une nouvelle attraction accueilleront bientôt les fans à Liverpool

Liverpool is set to deepen its connection with the Beatles legacy through a major expansion of its cultural offerings dedicated to the iconic band. The Beatles Story Museum, a key destination since 1990 located at the Royal Albert Dock, will relocate to a significantly larger venue to accommodate growing visitor interest.

The new site for the museum is the historic St John’s Market building, close to Liverpool Lime Street station. This move will provide a space four times the original size, allowing for a more immersive exploration of the Beatles’ history. Visitors will be able to engage with detailed recreations of pivotal locations in the band’s journey, including members’ childhood homes, the Cavern Club where they gained early fame, Abbey Road Studios, Hamburg’s music clubs, and New York’s Shea Stadium.

In addition to the museum’s relocation, the city will introduce a new Beatles-themed attraction housed within the St Johns Beacon, a landmark telecommunications tower rising 138 meters above Liverpool. Although currently closed to the public since 2024, plans are underway to transform the beacon into an innovative venue inspired by the band’s 1968 animated film, Yellow Submarine. This project aims to blend a panoramic city view with a creative homage to Beatles iconography, though specific details about the attraction’s features remain limited.

The museum and tower project fall under the stewardship of Apple Corps, the company established by the Beatles in 1968. Apple Corps, in partnership with Liverpool’s local authorities and backed by the UK government, is managing the expansion. The organization’s leadership envisions these developments elevating Liverpool’s status as a global pilgrimage site for Beatles enthusiasts, drawing parallels to destinations like Elvis Presley’s Graceland and Dolly Parton’s Dollywood.

Apple Corps Liverpool Trust, a charitable entity linked to the company, will dedicate part of the revenue generated from ticket sales to support local musicians, reinforcing the band’s enduring influence on Liverpool’s contemporary music scene.

The significance of the Beatles to Liverpool extends beyond cultural heritage; economic studies have quantified the band’s impact as a substantial contributor to the city’s economy, with returns estimated at approximately £82 million annually as of 2016. This underscores the importance of continued investment in Beatles-related tourism infrastructure.

Prominent former Beatles members have expressed enthusiasm for the projects. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have publicly acknowledged their personal and artistic ties to Liverpool, emphasizing the city’s role in shaping their identities and careers. Their support lends weight to the initiatives and highlights the personal dimension behind these public ventures.

The scheduled completion and opening of the new museum and the Yellow Submarine attraction are targeted for 2028, marking a new chapter in Liverpool’s celebration of the band’s legacy. Meanwhile, Beatles fans eager for new experiences can anticipate a related museum opening in London in 2027, situated at 3 Savile Row, a site historically linked to the band and Apple Corps.

Through these developments, Liverpool is positioning itself as the definitive destination for those seeking to delve into the Beatles’ story, offering expanded educational and experiential opportunities that reflect the group’s global cultural footprint.