PLANS for a museum centred around the historic WW2 German submarine U-534 on display in Woodside will be shared during a special event next month.
BIG Heritage and MGMA Architects will share their vision for transforming the U-Boat Story during a presentation at BirkenEd's Place on Borough Pavement in Grange Precinct, Birkenhead on Wednesday, March 15, from 5.30-7pm.
Described as "a key cultural destination within the Birkenhead 2040 masterplan", the U-Boat Story aims to provide "an engaging historic attraction for all of the family".
The project will form a key part in the wider Battle of the Atlantic offer, connecting the U-Boat Story to Big Heritage's Western Approaches in Liverpool.
A spokesperson for Big Heritage said: "This is an excellent chance to contribute and question the design proposals, and ask BIG Heritage and MGMA Architects questions about the potential development prior to its submission for planning permission later in 2023.
"An event for history enthusiasts and people interested in the future of Birkenhead alike, the team will also be bringing a selection of artifacts with them for the event."
To book your place at the U-Boat presentation event, click here
The submarine - one of only four surviving U-boats out of more than 1100 built - was sunk by RAF bombers in 1945 and raised from the seabed in 1993.
A hoard of previously unseen "Nazi treasures" found aboard raised new questions about the purpose of the sub.
The artefacts included personal items like toothpaste, condoms, beer bottles and books read by the crew on board to secret Nazi war documents and an Enigma machine - encryption devices used by the Germans during the war to transmit coded messages and Binoculars found on U534.
The submarine was sunk by an RAF Liberator off the Danish Island of Anholt on May 5, 1945.
It was later moved in sections to its current Birkenhead site, forming the centrepiece of the 'U-Boat Story' museum until closure in 2020.
As the submarine’s new custodians, Big Heritage want to build a new museum befitting the boat's historic importance and have appointed Liverpool architects MGMA to bring these ambitions to life.
Big Heritage are the operators of Western Approaches HQ, the bunker in Liverpool where the Allied fight against the U-boats was masterminded, having revamped it into an acclaimed tourist attraction.
Acquiring U-534 now gives them the opportunity to tell the story of the Battle Of The Atlantic from both sides.
The new attraction will also be a key part of the wider regeneration of the Woodside area, alongside the Mersey Ferries terminal, heritage tramway and other amenities.
Grants from the government's Levelling Up Fund and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Levelling Up Fund are supporting several projects, including the new U-Boat attraction, designed to transform the Woodside waterfront into a leading visitor destination and make the most of its position on the River Mersey.
These attractions can combine to form a diverse tourism and educational hub with unrivalled transport links.
Cllr Tony Jones, chair of Wirral's economy, regeneration and development committee, believes the benefits will be significant for the local area.
He said recently: "Upgrades to the U-Boat attraction at Woodside have the potential to generate catalytic change at Woodside as part of the wider regeneration of Birkenhead.
"This presents a fantastic opportunity for the community to help shape the project and it’s really important that people share their views and memories to ensure that the new museum reflects local stories and experiences."
Big Heritage is a local company, and its managing director Dean Paton is from Birkenhead.
The group has partnered with social enterprise Placed to gather ideas, thoughts and feedback from the general public.
More info is available on the Placed website
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