Liverpool’s New Beatles Destination Set to Rival Graceland and Dollywood

London – The place where the world first heard the unmistakable four‑chord opening of "Love Me Do" is about to get a whole new kind of spotlight. On Tuesday, Apple Corps announced that the iconic Beatles Story museum will be uprooted from its docklands home and rebuilt in the heart of Liverpool, inside the cavernous former St. John’s Market.

The new venue, spanning roughly 100,000 sq ft, will open its doors in 2028 – just after Sam Mendes rolls out his quartet of biopics on John, Paul, George and Ringo. Those films, slated for an April 2028 release, are already being billed as a global resurgence of Beatlemania, and Apple Corps seems eager to ride that wave.

Visitors can expect a blend of immersive tech, original memorabilia and painstakingly reconstructed sets. Think walking through a digital recreation of the Cavern Club, stepping onto a replica of Abbey Road’s famed crossing, and even standing inside a simulated Shea Stadium concert. Props and scenery lifted straight from Mendes’ movies will help bring those moments to life.

Not content with just the museum, the plan includes a striking makeover of the nearby St Johns Beacon – the 400‑foot former radio tower. The tower will be transformed into a Yellow Submarine‑themed observation deck, offering panoramic views of the city while paying homage to the band’s psychedelic animated classic.

"Just like Graceland or Dollywood, it’s fitting that The Beatles will have a world‑class destination for fans to visit in the centre of the city where the story started," said Tom Greene, Apple Corps chief executive. A slice of ticket revenue will even be funneled into a charity aimed at nurturing new musical talent in Liverpool.

The two surviving members have given their nod of approval. Paul McCartney remarked that the band’s success "couldn’t have happened without Liverpool" and expressed excitement about people being able to "step into our story." Ringo Starr added that "Liverpool was, and still is, music city."

Local experts see this as the latest chapter in a decades‑long Beatles renaissance that has helped revitalize the city’s economy after the docks shut down. Mike Jones, a Beatles scholar at the University of Liverpool, cautioned that while the influx of fans will be a boon, the city must guard against turning its heritage into a theme‑park caricature.

Still, there’s an undeniable buzz. With the upcoming film releases, the revamped museum and the eye‑catching Yellow Submarine tower, Liverpool is poised to become a pilgrimage site for anyone who’s ever hummed "Hey Jude" in the shower.