The Beatles Story has released rare archive photographs showing how the Liverpool museum came to life, from its construction to its early years as one of the city's best-known visitor destinations.
The images, shared with the ECHO, capture moments such as the Beatles sign being put up outside the museum before it opened, workers at the Albert Dock site, and staff celebrating the attraction's first birthday with a yellow submarine cake.
A museum born from a visit to America
The attraction opened its doors in May 1990 at the Royal Albert Dock, telling the story of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. The idea was conceived by husband-and-wife Mike and Bernadette Byrne in 1987, after they visited Beatle City, a Beatles attraction in America.
The couple spent two years researching and developing their vision for a new Liverpool exhibition. Unlike Beatle City, it would not rely on memorabilia but was designed as an audio/visual experience to take visitors back in time and recreate the feel of the 1960s.
Bernie knew The Beatles personally, while Mike was a musician who performed with them at the Cavern, toured Germany and played at many other Liverpool venues. Mike wrote the business plan and raised the finance, while Bernie wrote the story. They worked alongside architects, set and graphic designers, and project-managed the exhibition from start to finish.
Millions of visitors since opening
Since opening, The Beatles Story has welcomed millions of visitors. The attraction takes visitors on a journey through the group's early years at The Cavern, their breakthrough in Hamburg, the rise of Beatlemania and their worldwide success, using recreated settings, original memorabilia and immersive displays.
The original plan was to add new exhibits from time to time to create new interest, while still retaining the original feel.
Moving to a new central attraction in 2028
The team at the museum are now preparing for a new chapter, as plans have been announced for an attraction four times the size of the current one. Liverpool city centre will be transformed by a new multi-million pound Beatles attraction, taking over the iconic St Johns Beacon and the former St John's Market site.
Apple Corps Ltd, the multimedia corporation founded by the band, announced it would create the first ever official Beatles experience in the band's home city. The plans will see The Beatles Story moved and revamped into a central, immersive attraction in 2028.
