Decision not to list Ringo's birthplace "ignorant" - Liverpool campaingers

Campaigners battling to save Ringo Starr's Liverpool birthplace from demolition have dismissed a decision not to grant the building "listed" status.

Officials at English Heritage (EH) turned-down a request for Number 9 Madryn Street to be put under a preservation order because of its historic importance.

Advice given to Minister for Tourism and Heritage John Penrose, by English Heritage chiefs, is that the terraced house in Liverpool does not "fulfil" the criteria to merit a preservation order.

However, it has emerged that at the same time EH recommended that the zebra crossing featured on the Beatles Abbey Road album should be preserved.

A report from English Heritage said: "After examining all the papers on this file and other relevant information and having carefully considered the architectural and historic interest of this case, the criteria for listing are not fulfilled."

A spokeswoman for English Heritage said:" "The zebra crossing has been listed... as a celebration of The Beatles' renown, and for its phenomenally strong group value with the Abbey Road recording studios... We did not recommend 9 Madryn Street for listing, however, as it lacks the undeniable Beatles connection of other sites, and is an otherwise unremarkable building historically and architecturally."

But the Save Madryn Street campaign dismissed suggestions that the English Heritage decision will encourage council chiefs in Liverpool to go ahead with controversial plans to demolish the property that is part of the Victorian "Welsh Streets" clearance initiative in the Dingle.

Beatles tourism guide Philip Coppell, Chairman for the Save Madryn Street campaign, said: "English Heritage have shown their intellectual ignorance with this decision.

"Years ago we had to fight for years before they would agree to put a blue plaque on John Lennon's home in Menlove Avenue. Here again they have shown that they do not understand the reality of what is important to the ordinary people of Liverpool and to Beatles fans all over the world.

"We are not at all daunted by this and we will continue our fight to preserve Madryn Street for posterity.

"No-one has ever suggested that Number Nine is of particularly great architectural importance.but what English Heritage have failed to understand is that it has enormous significance in terms for tourism and Beatles heritage in Liverpool.

"Beatles fans around the world have been appalled at the thought that the council could demolish a building that so many of them want to come and visit.

"The reality is that it makes enormous economic and environmental sense to preserve the Welsh Streets and we remain very hopeful that Liverpool City Council and the Government will see that it will cost next to nothing to preserve and maintain 9 Madryn Street as a tourist attraction."

by Nick Webster
Click Liverpool