The largest newly-built national museum in Britain for more than a century, the new Museum of Liverpool, will open to the public for the first time on Tuesday 19 July.

And one of the opening exhibitions centres around the city’s relationship with sport. Being a local lad, Olympic Gold medallist Chris Boardman has lent the Lotus Sport bike he used to much success in the 1990s to the Museum of Liverpool curators, who will present the iconic bicycle along with many other sport memorabilia. 

Other exhibits will include John Conteh’s boxing gloves and WBC title belt, Red Rum’s silks, a whole host of football memorabilia and even Beth Tweddle’s leotard.

The Museum of Liverpool is the first national museum anywhere in the world that is devoted to the history of a regional city and demonstrates Liverpool’s extraordinary contribution to the world. It will showcase popular culture and tackle the social, historical and contemporary issues of the city.  

Professor Phil Redmond CBE, chairman of National Museums Liverpool said: “Liverpool’s waterfront is known the world over, and we are pleased that we will soon be welcoming visitors to what is undoubtedly a stunning addition to that World Heritage Site.

“Liverpool’s role in history is also known the world over, as is its iconic symbol, the Liver Bird. It is fitting then that the first purpose-built museum to examine a city’s role in world history, is opening its doors 100 years to the day that the Liver Building itself opened for business.”

David Fleming, director of National Museums Liverpool said: “The Museum of Liverpool is all about telling the stories of the city and its people. This includes the times of struggle such as the Toxteth riots, the triumphs of our musical exports including The Beatles, and the dramatic histories of our football teams.

“Every single event has helped shape this city’s personality. The Museum of Liverpool is here to tell the tale, and like the Liver Building, will be around for many years to come.” 

Find out more at www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk