Boost as pop museum dances to Liverpool’s tune
LIVERPOOL is celebrating a major boost to its cultural economy after a deal drummed out for the city to hosts Britain’s only museum of popular music.
The British Music Experience (BME) is heading north after a five-year run at London’s O2 and will be making its new home in the Cunard Building from Easter 2016. The relocation is being partially funded by a £2.6m Regional Growth Fund investment.
Mayor Joe Anderson and BME chairman Harvey Goldsmith have joined forces to bring the attraction to Liverpool, which will see more than 600 rare BME music heritage archive items go on display in the former Departure Lounge location.
The collection of music artefacts and memorabilia includes some of David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust costumes and the original handwritten lyrics to Blue Monday by New Order. The museum will also pay homage to the impact British music has had on the culture, fashion, art and politics.
Mayor Anderson, said: “This is a fantastic addition to the city’s existing attractions and it makes perfect sense that a museum which celebrates the importance of British music and its influence on society, has its home in Liverpool.
“Music is inherent here and is entwined with the city’s history, present and future. The Cunard Building itself played a vital role in shaping the industry thanks to the music that travelled across the Atlantic by those travelling on the Cunard Vessels. This music then immersed itself in our culture and influenced many aspiring musicians, including four young men who wanted to perform their own rock ‘n’ roll and then went on to become the most famous band in the world.
“Undoubtedly, BME will be hugely popular as music is a major cultural driving force in the city and I look forward to seeing the project taking shape over the forthcoming months.”
The BME is expected to create around 35 jobs and attract thousands of new visitors to the city region.
Chair of the BME, Harvey Goldsmith, said “The trustees of the British Music Experience are thrilled to have partnered with the city of Liverpool and to have found a permanent home for the UK’s collection of rock and pop memorabilia and artefacts.
“The historic Cunard Building on the shores of the Mersey represents the perfect home. The transatlantic voyage and the back and forth shared between the UK and USA plays a significant role in the story the Museum tells.
“Liverpool is the natural home for the BME and we hope to enrich the city’s current music heritage offering and further solidify the city as a worldwide music heritage destination.”
The British Music Experience is a registered not-for-profit charity with the purpose of advancing the education and appreciation of the art, history and science of music in Britain.
