A multi-million pound project to build a real Yellow Submarine that could take tourists on voyages to the depths of the Mersey Estuary is being considered by tourism chiefs. Tony McDonough reports

Immortalised in the Beatles song, and in a 1968 movie, the Yellow Submarine is an iconic but sadly fictional vessel.

However, LBN understands tourism chiefs in Liverpool city region are exploring plans to build a real submarine that could dive under the Mersey Estuary carrying Beatles fans from all over the world.

Birkenhead shipyard Cammell Laird would be favourite to build the vessel and it is believed preliminary discussions have already taken place.

Visitors to Liverpool can already enjoy amphibious tours of the dock system thanks to the launch of Splash Tours in summer 2024. And, of course, the world famous Mersey Ferry is an ever popular attraction.

Cammell Laird is currently building a new Mersey Ferry at a cost of £26m but Merseyside tourism bosses believe being able to take Fab Four fans out onto, and under, the river on a real Yellow Submarine would take the visitor experience onto another level.

One insider told LBN: “A real Yellow Submarine would be a visitor economy game-changer. Punters would queue up along the waterfront. 

“Ideally we would want a band on board, y’know to go with the line from the song… ‘and the band begins to play’? However, there may be some space constraints with that idea – submarines can be a bit cramped.

“But other than that, everyone believes it is a fantastic idea. It could even have its own terminal at the Pier Head. Only one obstacle stands in the way of this projects… that’s the Blue Meanies.”