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Liverpool is set to introduce a vast new Beatles-themed attraction covering 100,000 square feet, a development praised as “extraordinary” by Paul McCartney and lauded by Andy Burnham for its ambitious vision. Scheduled to open in 2028, this initiative represents a significant expansion from the existing Beatles Story museum, which has been located at Royal Albert Dock since 1990. Ownership of the attraction will transition to the Beatles’ company, Apple Corps, marking the first official fan experience tied directly to the band within their hometown.
The revamped museum will relocate to the former St John’s Market building near Lime Street railway station, which has been unused since its closure in 2024. This move allows for a substantial increase in space, expanding the facility to approximately four times its current size. In addition, Apple Corps plans to restore Liverpool’s second-tallest building, St Johns Beacon, a 450-foot tower left vacant after its viewing gallery and radio station operations ended in 2024. Positioned next to the new museum, the tower will be transformed into a distinct attraction themed around the Beatles’ iconic animated film, Yellow Submarine.
Described as a “multi-hour experience,” the new Beatles Story will bring to life various iconic moments from the band’s history. Visitors will be able to explore immersive recreations of their childhood homes in Liverpool, the famous Cavern Club, the Hamburg nightclubs where they honed their sound, Abbey Road Studios, New York’s Shea Stadium—infamous for the deafening screams during Beatlemania—and the London rooftop venue where the Beatles played their final live concert in 1969. Paul McCartney expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I find it incredible and humbling that people are still interested in our story and it’s very exciting to me that the Beatles Story and the Beacon are being transformed in such an exciting way in the heart of Liverpool city.”
Ringo Starr echoed this excitement, highlighting the city’s enduring musical legacy by saying, “Liverpool was, and still is, a music city. And now we are expanding the Beatles Story … how far out. The beat goes on.” Moreover, a new charity named the Apple Corps Liverpool Trust will be established to receive a share of ticket revenues, dedicating funds to support emerging local musicians. The project has received backing from Liverpool City Council, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, and the UK government, though financial specifics remain undisclosed. Andy Burnham emphasized the significance of the scheme, describing it as, “the kind of ambition I want to see more of across Britain,” and praising its role in nurturing future generations of young artists.
Liverpool’s mayor, Steve Rotheram, welcomed the announcement enthusiastically, noting the city’s global pull as the birthplace of the Beatles and predicting that the new development will attract millions more visitors. Apple Corps’ CEO, Tom Greene, compared the vision to renowned fan destinations such as Graceland in Memphis and Dollywood in Tennessee, aiming to create a “world-class destination for fans to visit in the centre of the city where the story started.” Greene is also overseeing plans for the refurbishment of 3 Savile Row, the London site of the Beatles’ last rooftop concert, which will open as a museum in 2027 offering rooftop access and exhibits celebrating the band’s studio work and archival materials.
This announcement coincides with broader efforts to sustain the Beatles’ cultural legacy, including a four-part biopic project directed by Sam Mendes scheduled for release in 2028. Elements from these films will be integrated into the new Beatles Story experience. Additional portrayals of their Hamburg years are set to be presented through the forthcoming BBC drama Hamburg Days, while their music continues to find renewed commercial success with recent reissues like the expanded Rubber Soul album, which recently reached number two on the UK charts. As a major attraction, the Beatles currently contribute significantly to Liverpool’s economy, adding an estimated £82 million annually, with the existing Beatles Story museum having
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