A sign stolen in the 1970s from Liverpool’s Penny Lane - the street immortalised by The Beatles in their song of the same name - has been returned to the city. Local councillor Dan Barrington said that while the theft could potentially carry a prison sentence, the city’s council would on this occasion “let it be”.
The “totally pristine” sign was handed to The Beatles Story museum by an anonymous man who said that he and a group of student friends took it in 1976 while somewhat “worse for wear”.
"Because I am getting on a bit now, I want to return it to the Pool, where I spent six very happy years as a student, undergrad then postgrad, including meeting my wife of 44 years”, he said, according to the BBC. “Obviously, Liverpool is where the sign should now spend the rest of its days”.
The Penny Lane sign is one of many stolen by people wanting a piece of Beatles memorabilia. In fact, so many were taken that city officials eventually gave up replacing them and simply painted Penny Lane signs on the walls of buildings on the street. Proper signs returned in 2007, but with measures to make them more theft-resistant in place. Some do still go missing, however.
Commenting on the return of the sign, Liverpool City Councillor Dan Barrington says: "The removal of street signs is a criminal offence which can lead to a prison sentence. However, given the history of this case and the fact this Penny Lane has got back to where it belongs after what looks like a long and winding journey, then I think we can all agree to just let it be”.
The sign is now on display at The Beatles Story museum on Liverpool’s Albert Dock.