The Beatles Story to move to St Johns shopping centre by 2028

The project envisages the creation of a significantly larger cultural and entertainment destination, spanning approximately 9,300 square metres, with the aim of enhancing the visitor experience and strengthening Liverpool’s tourism appeal.

The relocation is expected to be completed in 2028, coinciding with the scheduled release of a new film production about The Beatles. The new venue will offer more than four times the floor space of the museum’s current premises, allowing for expanded exhibitions, interactive experiences, authentic memorabilia, and recreations of settings from different periods of the band’s career.

From the 1969 Market to a New Immersive Museum

The majority of The Beatles Story will be housed in the former St Johns Market premises, within St Johns Shopping Centre. The building was designed by English architect James A. Roberts and constructed in 1969, opposite Liverpool Lime Street railway station.

The museum’s new central location is expected to improve visitor accessibility and connect the cultural experience with the area’s retail and tourism activities.

Meanwhile, the historic Radio City Tower, also known as St Johns Beacon, will be transformed into a standalone tourist attraction inspired by Yellow Submarine, the iconic Beatles song and film. Standing 138 metres tall and listed as a Grade II building, the tower will feature an observation platform offering panoramic views of Liverpool.

The tower originally operated as a telecommunications facility and featured a revolving restaurant. Its new use will complement the museum experience while establishing an independent visitor attraction in its own right.

The Beatles’ Story Returns to Their Hometown

The Beatles Story opened at Royal Albert Dock in 1990 and has since become one of Liverpool’s major cultural attractions. The new venue aims to trace the band’s journey from its early beginnings in the city to international acclaim, incorporating contemporary exhibition design and interactive technologies.

Ringo Starr welcomed the expansion of the experience, emphasising that Liverpool remains a city inextricably linked to music. Paul McCartney, meanwhile, noted that Apple Corps’ plans highlight The Beatles’ journey from Liverpool to the rest of the world and their return to the city where it all began.

Apple Corps, the company established in 1968 by the band’s four members to manage their business activities, will oversee the next phase of the project. The company will take ownership of the attraction from Mersey Ferrys and supervise its relocation.

Tourism Growth and Economic Prospects

The museum’s relocation forms part of a broader effort to leverage Liverpool’s musical heritage as a driver of tourism and economic growth. The expansion of the exhibition space, alongside the creation of a new observation platform at Radio City Tower, is expected to introduce additional experiences to the city’s tourism offering.

Liverpool Mayor Andy Burnham highlighted the investment’s importance in strengthening the city’s international profile, noting that capitalising on its cultural and musical identity could generate jobs, opportunities, and economic growth.