Calls to improve Beatles tourist experience on Liverpool's Penny Lane

John Lennon and Paul McCartney would often meet at the bus terminus near Penny Lane

It is the title of one of the band's famous songs, but there is "not all that much" for Beatles fans to see if they take a trip to Penny Lane, according to a councillor.

Councillor Richard Kemp said more could be done to promote Liverpool's suburbs.

He said as many as 12,000 would visit the road during the summer months.

Julie Gornell, who runs Penny Lane Development Trust, called for better signs and "more joined-up working between different tourism bodies".

The road was the subject of the band's 1967 song, which featured on a double A-sided single with Strawberry Fields Forever - named after a former children's home nearby.

Penny Lane has a special significance for the young John Lennon and Paul McCartney, who would meet at the bus terminus at the roundabout on Smithdown Place.

Julia Gornell has called for better signage and collaboration

Their song referenced some of the local businesses but Ms Gornell said the changes in those firms' circumstances had not helped.

The building on the terminus roundabout has been empty for 20 years. The barbershop temporarily closed last year, while both bank branches closed and the fire station was converted to housing.

Ms Gornell said: "Sadly a lot of these things have closed down, which isn't a great look for the most famous lane in the world, especially if people are paying good money to come to this location and there is nothing much here for them to see."

She visitors came from as afar as Alaska and Australia, adding: "I am sure some people must be disillusioned and think - is this it?

"If I had a penny for every time someone said 'if this was in Memphis', but it's not Memphis, it's Liverpool."

However the band's legacy has boosted tourism to Liverpool and revenues for the local economy.

Councillor Richard Kemp says thousands of tourists visit Penny Lane every summer

Cllr Kemp, who has set up a working group to improve tourists' experience of visiting Liverpool's suburbs, admitted Penny Lane was "not the Tower of London or the Taj Mahal" but he said tourists could be given more of an "experience" in terms of live music, refreshments and souvenirs.

"In the summer, we believe 10,000 to 12,000 people travel down Penny Lane.

"There are lots of things we could do to attract people back in the evening, or to stop and show them the context of the Beatles."

He said the long-term aim would be to take over the roundabout by raising money to buy the stalled development, which has lain empty for 20 years.

Holly Tessler, who leads an MA in Beatles Heritage at the University of Liverpool, said it was "a lifelong dream" of the band's fans to visit the places where the band grew up.

She said any plan to improve the tourist's experience should not come at the expense of the quality of life for local people.

"No one wants to see tacky gift shops" she said, adding that everyone would benefit "if you can entice visitors to linger longer".