Ex-Beatle’s childhood home to go under the hammer

THE childhood home of former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr in Liverpool is to be sold at auction with a guide price of £55,000.

Number 10 Admiral Grove in Toxteth, where Ringo lived until he was 21, is up for auction after housing association Plus Dane gave the okay for the sale to go-ahead.

The two-bed Victorian terrace property was a regular haunt for the Fab Four in their younger days and other well-known faces on the Merseybeat scene including the late Cilla Black.

The Empress pub at the end of Admiral Grove was also famous for appearing on the front of Ringo’s first solo album, Sentimental Journey.

The property still attracts fans daily as it is part of the official Beatles Tour and Margaret Gorse, the tenant who had lived at the property for 37 years, was always happy to invite people in to have a look inside the house until her death last year.

Following her passing, Plus Dane has made the decision to sell the house at auction.

Claire Griffiths, Plus Dane’s executive director of Property, said: “Plus Dane has considered all of the options in relation to this property following the sad death of Margaret, who was a well-respected figure in the community.

“We felt it would be most beneficial to the community for the property to be sold as any profits made will be reinvested back into Plus Dane homes in the L8 area.”

Taking on board the concerns local residents may have, a number of restrictions have been placed on the sale of the house so it cannot become a tourist attraction or museum.

Plus Dane owns 12 properties in Admiral Grove, with the rest being a combination of other social housing and private owners.

The auction will be held at the Cavern Club on Thursday  March 24 and the house has a guide price of £55,000, but auctioneer Countrywide is hoping it might attract investors with an interest in the Fab Four.

Tony Webber, Auction Surveyor, Countrywide Property Auctions, said: “We are delighted and excited that Plus Dane Housing has chosen Countrywide to auction this property, which is such a unique part of Liverpool’s history as well as that of The Beatles.
 
“We have auctioned properties lived in by three other members of The Beatles – John Lennon, George Harrison and Paul McCartney, and we expect a high level of interest from potential buyers in the UK and internationally.
 
“We would urge all interested parties to register their details as soon as possible to ensure they don’t miss out on this rare opportunity.”

For enquiries regarding the auction and to make any viewing arrangements, contact Entwistle Green Allerton office on 0151 734 2220.

For a glimpse inside Ringo’s childhood home check out this video

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John Lennon’s house, 251 Menlove Avenue, and Sir Paul McCartney’s home, 20 Forthlin Road, are both owned by the National Trust.

George Harrison’s home, 25 Upton Green in Speke, sold for £156,000 in 2014, while Lennon’s home until he was five, 9 Newcastle Road, made £480,000 at auction the year before.

Ringo Starr’s home from birth, 9 Madryn Street, has been subject to uncertainty due to a plan to redevelop the area it is in, but Liverpool City Council recently said it was likely to be saved from demolition.