Small businesses in Liverpool have called on tourism bosses to improve the struggling area of Penny Lane, made famous by The Beatles in 1967.
The area, with its shelter by the middle of a roundabout and barber showing photographs, was immortalised in the group’s song ‘Penny Lane’, which was issued as a single with ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ in 1967.
Independent businesses have been hit by the recent economic downturn. Tour operators are currently unable to stop at Penny Lane due to traffic measures, and there are no memorials or information centres to mark its connection with The Beatles.
Liverpool council had planned to turn nearby wasteland into a George Harrison memorial park, but plans were scrapped.
Also on this day...
- 2013: Blue plaque for Lennon and Harrison unveiled at the Apple Boutique building
- 2009: Ringo to release book of Beatles photographs?
- 2003: Album release: Back In The World by Paul McCartney
- 1993: Paul McCartney live: Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney
- 1968: Pattie Harrison celebrates her 24th birthday in India
- 1967: Recording: She’s Leaving Home
- 1965: Filming: Help!, Austria
- 1964: Filming: A Hard Day’s Night
- 1963: The Beatles live: Embassy Cinema, Peterborough
- 1962: The Beatles live: Knotty Ash Village Hall, Liverpool
- 1961: The Beatles live: Liverpool Jazz Society, Liverpool
- 1961: The Beatles live: Mossway Hall, Liverpool
- 1944: Pattie Boyd is born
Want more? Visit the Beatles history section.
There is now a heavily Beatles influenced community centre on Penny Lane, which is open to tourists. Called the Penny Lane Development Trust, I’d definitely recommend a visit.