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Cavern Club sold to new owners after 35 years

Emma StanleyNorth West
Liverpool City Council Exterior entrance to Liverpool's Cavern Club on Mathew Street, featuring the illuminated "The Cavern Club" sign above the famous arched doorway, with brick walls and information boards on either side of the entranceLiverpool City Council
The Beatles played at the original Cavern 292 times on the road to stardom

Liverpool's Cavern Club and Magical Mystery Tour have new owners after 35 years.

A group called 14 Collective have bought Cavern City Tours, which also includes the Cavern Pub and Restaurant.

John Lennon's sister, Julia Baird, who was one of the previous owners, said she felt "sad for me personally, yet positive for the future of this world famous, number one music club", adding that it was being left "in good hands".

The Beatles played at the original Cavern 292 times as they were on the road to stardom between 1961-63.

But the underground club was filled in after it closed in 1973.

A replica was built on the site in 1984 and now attracts a million Beatles fans every year.

PA Media Black-and-white photograph of the Beatles performing on stage inside a small brick-vaulted cellar venue. Three musicians are visible with guitars and a drum kit, standing beneath the club's arched ceiling in front of a microphone, with audience members visible at the bottom of the image.PA Media
The Beatles' first Cavern Club gig was in 1961

Managing director Bill Heckle trained to be a Beatles guide in 1982 before forming the Cavern City Tours in 1983.

Alongside Dave Jones they organised their first Beatles convention, which evolved into the annual Mathew Street Music Festival.

In 1991, they acquired the Magical Mystery Tour - bus tours of Liverpool - and the Cavern Club venue.

Heckle said the decision to sell was "not taken lightly" but it was "time for retirement".

"It is an emotional day, but a proud day, for the four Scouse owners," he said.

"It was never about putting Cavern City Tours up for sale to the highest bidder and it has taken over five years to find a suitable and like-minded custodian.

"However, we leave with the confidence that the new owners will continue to follow the path we have forged over the last 43 years."

In a statement, the new owners, 14 Collective, said: "We look forward to working alongside the existing management team, with a real appreciation for what makes the Cavern so special and excitement about what comes next."

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