How much are the Beatles worth to Liverpool?

A study has been launched to look at the economic impact of the Beatles on their hometown.

Researchers from Liverpool University and the Institute for Cultural Capital plan to map out all locations with ties to the band and evaluate current tourism sites and events connected to the group to get a measure of how much money interest in the group generates for the local economy.

Wendy Simon, city council member for culture, tourism and events, said: “Talk to anyone in or outside of the city about Liverpool and its history and you can guarantee the Fab Four will get a mention. 

“We know that The Beatles are a massive pull in terms of tourists, but we don’t know exactly what this translates to in terms of financial impact on the city and where the gaps are.  

“There is always a huge amount of debate around whether we as a city make the most of Beatlemania, and so this report will be a vital and informative piece of work which will shine a light on the legacy of The Beatles and what it really means to Liverpool.”

According to Liverpool University, the study will focus on three areas:

• Historical Mapping – The University of Liverpool’s Department of Music will carry-out a concise mapping exercise identifying all the historical events which tie the Beatles to specific city locations and spaces.

• Space and Place Mapping – The Institute of Cultural Capital (ICC), which works across both universities, will develop a map of the current cultural and heritage offer relating to the Beatles in the city. When completed, it will be compared with the results of the historical mapping to see how they complement each other.

• Cultural Impact of the Beatles - The ICC and the Department of Music will provide a concise account of the past, current and future non-economic value of the Beatles to the character of Liverpool.  This will examine the impact the band have on the social, community and cultural reputation of the city.