Based at the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool the Beatles Story has been welcoming Fab Four fans from across the world for 31 years and is promising new content when it reopens this month. Tony McDonough reports

Never-before seen photographs will be on display when the Beatles Start attraction reopens to visitors on May 17.

In May last year the Royal Albert Dock-based attraction, the world’s largest permanent exhibition devoted to the Fab Four, celebrated its 30th anniversary. With much of last year disrupted due to COVID-19 the celebrations are set to continue well into 2021.

When the Beatles Story reopens after the current lockdown visitors will be able to view ever-before seen photographs, exciting new displays and immersive animations in the replica Cavern Club and John Lennon’s White Room.

The leading attraction, which is owned by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, welcomes record-breaking numbers of visitors each year from Merseyside and beyond, and is considered a ‘must-visit’ pilgrimage for Beatles’ fans staying or living in the hometown of the Fab Four.

Click here to view the Beatles Story 30th anniversary video

Over the past 31 years, The Beatles Story has welcomed many celebrities and big names in the music and entertainment industry, including Neil Diamond, Duran Duran, Mo Salah, Star Wars’ Mark Hamill, and Jack Whitehall.

Mary Chadwick, General Manager, said: “With lots of careful planning to ensure the safety of our customers and staff, whilst continuing to meet the high standards we set ourselves, we are all delighted to confidently reopen our doors from Monday, May 17.

“There will of course be restrictions in place and we must all still do everything we can to limit the spread of the virus. This includes extra handwash facilities, queue management systems, face coverings, restricted admission numbers and signage clearly displayed throughout our attraction.

“As part of our 30th anniversary celebrations we launched a number of new exhibits and immersive upgrades – one of which is a new Ringo display featuring a personal message to The Beatles Story from Ringo himself as well as articles from his private collection to commemorate his 80th birthday.” 

Both fab4 cafés at Pier Head and the Albert Dock as well as the fab4 store, which has one of the largest collections of official Beatles merchandise and souvenirs in the world, will also be reopening on May 17. Tickets for the attraction will be required to be purchased prior to visiting and tickets are on sale online at beatlesstory.com