Beatles Story museum to leave Albert Dock for St Johns Shopping Centre

The Beatles Story, Liverpool's Beatles museum, is leaving its Royal Albert Dock home for the former St Johns Market site in St Johns Shopping Centre, Apple Corps announced ^[1][2]. The new venue is expected to open in 2028, aligning with the release of an upcoming Beatles movie, and will provide around 9,300 square metres, or 100,000 square feet, of exhibition space, more than four times the current footprint ^[1][2][3].

The main museum will occupy the former St Johns Market, a building designed by James A Roberts and completed in 1969 opposite Liverpool Lime Street railway station ^[1]. Apple Corps also plans to turn the Grade II-listed Radio City Tower, known as St Johns Beacon, into a Yellow Submarine-themed observation platform with a 360-degree view across the city ^[1][3]. The 138-metre tower, the second-tallest building in Liverpool, will operate as a standalone attraction and can be bundled with museum tickets ^[1][3].

Paul McCartney said the plans took him back to the band's journey. "If you'd told us this was going to happen when we were hanging out and getting started, we'd never have believed it," he said, adding that the project could not have happened without Liverpool ^[1][3]. Ringo Starr said "The beat goes on" ^[1][3]. According to the announcement, every ticket sold will go to The Apple Corps Liverpool Trust, a charity supporting emerging Liverpool-based artists ^[3].

Apple Corps chief executive Tom Greene compared the destination to Graceland or Dollywood and said the city centre site was fitting for where the story started ^[2][3]. "Liverpool birthed the greatest band in history," Greene said ^[2].

The existing attraction opened on the Royal Albert Dock in May 1990 and had drawn more than four million visitors by its 25th anniversary, with an estimated £300 million contribution to the local visitor economy ^[2]. Its audio guides are available in 12 languages and are narrated by John Lennon's sister, Julia Baird ^[2]. Apple Corps, founded by the four band members in 1968, will take over ownership from Mersey Ferrys next year ^[1][3]. The new venue will be the first official Beatles fan experience operated by Apple Corps in Liverpool ^[2].

Prime Minister Andy Burnham called the project "a world-class addition to Liverpool" and said it would turn the band's global reputation into jobs, opportunity and growth ^[1][3].