Liverpool musician to lead new Beatles Legacy Group
Peter Hooton, the Liverpool musician best known as the vocalist of Scouse band The Farm, has taken the helm of a new group set up to help Liverpool unlock the full economic potential of The Beatles.
The Beatles Legacy Group has been launched followed a report published earlier this month, which claimed that the Fab Four’s ongoing legacy is worth £81.9m to the city’s economy each year and supports 2,335 jobs.
While the study noted the success of the city’s current visitor offer, it also highlighted the challenges facing Liverpool in curating and maintaining the authenticity of The Beatles heritage for fans.
Claire McColgan MBE, the director of culture at the city council’s Culture Liverpool service, will join Peter Hooton in the group, as will Marketing Liverpool director Chris Brown and Liverpool BID Company chief executive Bill Addy.
Dr Mike Jones of the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Popular Music, who was one of the report’s authors, will also serve as a member of the group.
Commenting on his appointment, Peter Hooton said: ”‘I’m delighted that I’ve been asked by the Mayor to chair the Beatles Legacy Group.“I’ve always been passionate and proud of Liverpool’s musical heritage especially our most famous sons The Beatles.“ He continued: “I hope the Beatles Legacy group can come up with strategies and ideas to enhance the already superb attractions the city has to offer, in order to attract even more visitors in the future to our ‘City of Music’.
By: Richard Bell
Source: BDaily
