Headlines: £2m for new Beatles attraction for Liverpool announced in budget

Rishi Sunak has announced £2 million of funding for a new Beatles attraction on Liverpool’s Waterfront.

The news raised a few eyebrows as Liverpool already boasts two Beatles museums and has a host of other Fab Four related attractions.

Speaking during Wednesday’s budget speech, the Chancellor said: “Levelling up is also about protecting our unique culture and heritage, the British Museum, Tate Liverpool - we’re investing £800m to protect local museums, libraries and culture.

“This will include up to £2 million to start work on a new Beatles attraction on the Liverpool waterfront.”

Liverpool’s Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said shortly after Mr Sunak’s announcement that the attraction would not be a museum but an “immersive experience”.

“We think the Beatles are a huge global attraction for the UK and should have something of significance for the Liverpool City Region (LCR),” he said.

He added that LCR would be working alongside Liverpool City Council to develop plans further and it would be something much more than “looking at old artifacts like John Lennon’s underpants in a glass case”.

Liverpool City Council said in their own announcement that the project had a working title of ‘The Pool’ but made no mention of The Beatles.

The council described the transformative waterfront project as a “new destination dedicated to celebrating and creating music”.

Wheelie bin arson warning issued

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service urges residents to help prevent their household wheelie bins from becoming targets for arsonists over the Bonfire period.

Already this year, since the start of October, crews have dealt with 61 fires linked to wheelie bins and refuse containers across Merseyside. 

Station Manager Joe Cunliffe said: “The risk of wheelie bins being targeted during the run-up to Bonfire night has increased in recent years, and the figures in Merseyside in 2020 and so far this year reflect that.

“It might seem like a bit of harmless fun but setting fire to wheelie bins is irresponsible and dangerous behaviour. These fires can have serious consequences and can quickly spread to nearby property, putting the lives of those within them at risk.

We would urge local residents to take care in helping to minimise the risk of their bins being targeted. Only put your bin out on the day of collection and bring it back in immediately. Store it in a safe area away from windows and doors if possible.”

Alder Hey will benefit from Santa Dash

Alder Hey Children’s Charity has been revealed as the official charity partner for the Liverpool Santa Dash 2021.

The event returns in real-life on Sunday, 5 December.

The hospital recently launched its new £2.5 million Surgical Neonatal Appeal to help develop a state-of-the-art unit for newborn babies and their families.

Dashing Santas are being encouraged to walk, jog, or run to raise Alder Hey Children’s Charity funds.

Regarded as the city’s kick-start to Christmas, the event returns for its 18th consecutive year and is thought to be the UK’s biggest festive 5K fun run.