Losing The Beatles Story attraction after 38 years will be a blow to Liverpool’s Royal Albert Dock but its owners say they are investing in the 180-year-old estate to create a ‘new chapter’. Tony McDonough reports
It has been 180 years since the Royal Albert Dock came into existence and now the owners of the site are investing in the estate and into new events to create a “new chapter”.
In the early 1980s the dock was derelict and unloved and demolition seemed inevitable. Then it was brought back to life by the Merseyside Development Corporation, first as a retail destination and then later it transformed into a leisure attraction.
Today its collection of bars, restaurants and visitor attractions, including the Tate Liverpool, attract around 9.5m people a year, with major events and activations generating significant additional footfall.
It is made up of four Grade I-listed buildings – Britannia Pavilion, The Colonnades, Atlantic Pavilion and Edward Pavilion. In May 2023 the dock, which comprises 375,000 sq ft of space, changed ownership in a £40m deal.
Its owners are now London developer and investor, General Projects, and Dubai investment management company, neo capital.
However, in the last few days the Royal Albert Dock has suffered a major setback. It has been revealed that The Beatles Story museum, a major draw for Fab Four fans from all over the world, will depart the dock in 2028 for a new home.
Backed by the company that represents the business interests of The Beatles, Apple Corps, The Beatles Story will relocate to the former St Johns Market with St Johns Beacon set to house a Yellow Submarine themed viewing experience.
Managed by CBRE on behalf of the owners, Royal Albert Dock is set to undergo further transformation with upgrades to the physical estate and a renewed emphasis on cultural events to drive up footfall.
It already works with Culture Liverpool on the annual River of Light programme and supports major city events including the Liverpool Half Marathon, Santa Dash, Walk for Life and Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.
Claire Smith, director of UK property management at CBRE, said: “The events at Royal Albert Dock are used strategically to support the wider estate and connect the destination as a cornerstone of the city’s activity.
“Managing a destination such as the Royal Albert Dock is about harnessing the unique heritage of the estate and understanding what makes people want to visit, what makes them stay and what encourages them to come back.
“Every event, activation and new experience has a purpose, whether that’s driving footfall at a traditionally quieter time of year, increasing dwell time, supporting our occupiers or bringing a different audience to the Dock.
“But equally important is making sure the Dock continues to evolve. A landmark can’t stand still for 180 years. Our role is to help protect what makes Royal Albert Dock special while working with the freeholder, occupiers and wider city stakeholders to make sure it remains relevant for the next generation.”
A “significant programme of investment and refurbishment” is taking place across the estate, described by CBRE as the most active period of major improvement works at the dock since the 1980s.
Liverpool, the UK’s most popular museum of modern and contemporary art outside London, will soon complete its own transformation ahead of its reopening in 2027.
National Museums Liverpool is also undertaking major works to transform the Maritime Museum pavilion and create a new home for the International Slavery Museum within the Martin Luther King Building.
Plans also include a new bridge linking the graving docks to Hartley Quay, improving connectivity across the estate.
Alongside tenant-led investment, CBRE T&T is working with Royal Albert Dock Liverpool and Planit on a masterplan to improve landscaping, accessibility and the visitor environment across the estate.
This programme also includes significant refurbishment at Atlantic Pavilion following its acquisition by Acorn Insurance, while the Colonnades residential development is undergoing a four-phase programme of elevation remedial works.
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James McQuaid, project manager at CBRE, added: “There is a particular responsibility that comes with working on a heritage asset like Royal Albert Dock. The challenge is to enable significant investment and change while protecting the architectural character and heritage that makes the dock unique.
“Some of the work visitors will notice immediately. Other elements are much less visible. But collectively they are helping to make sure the dock remains fit for purpose for future occupiers and visitors.”