Ringo Starr's childhood home of 9 Madryn Street in Liverpool will be mothballed. National Trust accused of shunning 'golden opportunity' by refusing to adopt it.“
Tens of thousands of fans visit Madryn Street and other Ringo landmarks every year. There are coaches and taxis rolling up with tourists every day of the year.
Fab Four fans and local tour operators were looking forward to seeing Madryn Street re-opened later this year and believed that number nine would be open to public visits.
Charity says it doesn't have resources to acquire all the properties it would like but campaigner Steve Barnes called decision over Victorian property 'crazy. Source Dailymail.com
The National Trust was accused of 'turning its back' on an important part of Beatles history yesterday after refusing to adopt Ringo Starr's childhood home.
The humble two-up, two-down terraced house in Liverpool attracts thousands of fans every year.
Along with other properties in the street it was being renovated and the hope was it would be turned into a heritage attraction, like the former homes of other Fab Four members.
But social housing company PlaceFirst has revealed its offer to lease Ringo's birthplace to the National Trust was turned down.Nat
Now the Victorian property will be kept locked up because of concerns no one would want to live in a house subjected to constant attention from visitors.
Save Madryn Street campaign founder Steve Barnes accused the trust of shunning a 'golden opportunity' to preserve a vital part of Beatles heritage.
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'We had expected that the National Trust or some other body would take it over and operate the house as a destination, with carefully controlled access,' he said.
'This is what happens at John and Paul's houses and it works very well.
'It's crazy to mothball it. I can't understand why they wouldn't want to add Ringo's house to the list of destinations, now that it's been saved for posterity.'
He added: 'Seeing the National Trust turn Ringo's house down is appalling. It smacks of class prejudice, based on Ringo being working class and his birthplace is seen as too small and insignificant.' To read the full article click here