Southport MP Patrick Hurley has welcomed plans for a spectacular new Beatles visitor attraction in Liverpool city centre, describing the investment as a huge opportunity to celebrate the local musical heritage and inspire a new generation of musicians across the region.
The proposed 100,000 sq.ft attraction, due to open in 2028 at St John’s Shopping Centre, will bring together immersive technology, original artefacts and reconstructed sets to tell the story of the world’s most famous band, who played several times in Southport, at venues like Cambridge Theatre, Southport Little Theatre and The Kingsway.
Read More: All you need to know about Books Alive! October half-term spectacular in Southport
The plans also include a Yellow Submarine-themed experience at St John’s Beacon.
The development, a partnership between Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Apple Corps and Liverpool City Council, is expected to attract visitors from around the world, supporting jobs, tourism and regeneration across the wider region.
Patrick Hurley has also made music and culture a focus of his parliamentary work, serving as Co-Chair of the Northern Culture APPG and as a member of the Music APPG, alongside his work to strengthen Southport’s own cultural and music sector.
Patrick Hurley MP for Southport and the Northern Parishes said:
“The Beatles didn’t just change pop music forever; just as importantly, they changed what young people from places like ours believed was possible.
“Four lads from our region went on to conquer the world, and more than sixty years later their music is still bringing people here from every corner of the globe. This is a fantastic announcement, and exactly the sort of ambition we should have for the area.
“But the really exciting thing for me isn’t just celebrating what we’ve achieved in the past. It’s what we can do with that legacy in the future.
“We’ve got an extraordinary musical heritage locally, and a wealth of talent coming through today. I want the next generation of musicians, songwriters, producers and performers to grow up knowing that they don’t have to leave this region to make something of themselves. The opportunities should be here, on their doorstep.
“That’s part of what we’re trying to achieve in Southport. We’ve established the Southport Music Board to bring people together and help our local music scene grow.
“We had the Warehouse Arts Centre opening in June, creating another home for creativity and performance in the town. And we’re working to make sure arts, culture and music are at the heart of Southport’s future.
“This new Beatles attraction should be a catalyst for the whole region. Let’s use it to get more children playing instruments, more young people into recording studios, more live music in our towns, and more opportunities for people to build careers in the creative industries.
“The Beatles put the Liverpool City Region on the musical map. Our job now is to make sure the next generation has every chance to do something just as remarkable.”
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown or email: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
Campaign win for Patrick Hurley MP as drivers benefit from crackdown on unfair parking practices
PM puts the brakes on rip-off parking charges and second-hand car scams
- Drivers in Southport and the Northern Parishes to get new rights to challenge unfair private parking charges, alongside crackdown on car dealers winding back mileages.
- Guaranteed 5 minutes to decide whether to park and 10 minutes to leave without facing a penalty, and cancellation of charges for issues drivers can’t control – like vehicle breakdowns in car parks.
- Marks latest step forward in the PM’s series of everyday fixes, tackling the daily frustrations that make life harder and giving people room to breathe.
Southport MP Patrick Hurley has welcomed news that drivers in Southport and the Northern Parishes will get new rights to challenge unfair private parking charges, following sustained efforts to raise the issue in Parliament.
The changes introduced by the Government include a guaranteed 5 minutes to decide whether to park and 10 minutes to leave once their session ends, and the right to have charges cancelled on appeal for issues they can’t control.
Under the new Private Parking Code of Practice laid in Parliament on Tuesday (20 October 2026), charges will be scrapped on appeal for honest mistakes, like stopping briefly to check directions, and for situations like a medical emergency, breakdown or broken ticket machine.
For smaller slip-ups, like forgetting a parking permit, entering the wrong vehicle’s registration or forgetting to confirm it in the machine when parking, drivers will face a maximum charge of £20 on appeal.
The Code also freezes the maximum parking charge at £100. Operators who don’t comply risk losing access to DVLA data, meaning that even if they issue a charge, it will be far more difficult to identify the registered owner to pursue payment.
In addition, unscrupulous second-hand car dealers who wind back odometers to disguise a vehicle’s true mileage will also face tougher action. Known as car clocking, fraudulently selling a clocked car is already illegal, but adding it to the official list of banned practices will make it easier for enforcers to crack down, protecting buyers and backing honest businesses.
These changes are the latest measures in the Prime Minister’s series of everyday fixes, tackling the frustrations that cost people time and money to give families more room to breathe.
The action follows moves to stop unfair airline charges, tackle subscription traps, rogue traders, and rip-off school uniform costs – all championed by Patrick Hurley MP.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said:
“Being a few minutes late back to your car or typing one digit of your numberplate wrong shouldn’t end with a hefty fine landing on your doormat.
“These charges leave people feeling ripped off and out of pocket, so I’m putting a stop to them.
“We are introducing clearer rules, longer grace periods and lower charges for genuine mistakes, while going after the deliberate scams that rip drivers off.”
Patrick Hurley MP for Southport and the Northern Parishes said:
“The private parking industry has been allowed to catch people out for too long, and I’m delighted the Government is now acting with measures that will make a real difference to everyday motorists.
“These changes will help ensure drivers aren’t punished by over-complicated and inconsistent parking rules, while putting a stop to the exploitation of genuine mistakes and unavoidable emergencies.
“If you’ve been affected by unfair parking practices, please get in touch with me and my office. We’ll be happy to look at your case and see what support we can provide.”
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner said:
“Parking should be straightforward, not another everyday hassle. These changes mean drivers get a fairer deal, protected time to park and leave without fear of being unfairly charged, and confidence that private parking providers are held to a higher standard.
“It’s yet another step forward in this government’s plan to take the stress out of everyday life and ease the pressure on people’s pockets.”
Minister for Consumer Action, Kate Dearden, said:
“Nobody works hard for their money just to be deceived by a dodgy trader, and this is exactly the kind of everyday rip-off this government is going after.
“By making it easier to take action against car clocking, we are protecting consumers’ hard earned money and supporting businesses that play by the rules.”
The government has also promised today to go further still, by consulting as soon as possible next year on private parking debt recovery fees, including on whether to cut an existing £70 cap or scrap the fees altogether.
Data shows just under 17 million private parking charges were issued in the UK last year. In 2025, the government set out proposals to improve standards by consulting on a new Private Parking Code of Practice.
Today’s response sets out the measures being brought in to protect motorists. Parliament will now have time to scrutinise the new Code, before ministers press ahead to bring it into force as soon as possible.
This Code brings in, for the first time, a fully independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board, and requires operators to share more information with government, giving drivers stronger protections than ever before.
Since taking office, the government has also launched a review of airport drop-off charges, cut VAT on electricity bills this winter, frozen fuel duty and rail fares, and raised the Minimum Wage, as it continues to take action to ease the cost of living.
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown or email: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
The post Spectacular new Beatles attraction can be a ‘musical catalyst for our region’ appeared first on Stand Up For Southport.
