Pete Best Drive and Casbah Close

THE street where Ringo Starr was born might be about to be demolished, but elsewhere in the city the sacked drummer he replaced in the Beatles is about to be one up - with a new street named after him. 

Pete Best’s “contribution to Liverpool’s musical heritage” will be recognised with the creation of Pete Best Drive’, at Bellway Homes’ new development in West Derby. 

It follows a campaign from the fans, friends and family of Pete Best, which has gained the support of over 10,000 people, says Liverpool City Council. 

The new housing development, at the Bellefield site on Eton Road was chosen because Best hails from the nearby village. 

'I feel very humbled, very flattered
and very honoured' - Pete Best

The Casbah Club, which was started by Best's mother, Mona, in 1959, became a regular venue for the young group. Thus Casbah Close – will be created just half a mile away from its site in Haymans Green. 

Best, 69,  said: “I feel very humbled, very flattered and very honoured that the city of Liverpool, council members and the people of Liverpool have thought to honour me in such a fantastic way.”

The other onePete Best was born in India on 24 November 1941, moving to Liverpool in 1945. He joined The Beatles in August 1960, one day before they travelled to Hamburg to play a season of club dates. He went on to do more than 1,000 shows with the Beatles, before being replaced by Ringo Starr in 1962, just before they hit the big time.

The married father of two and grandfather of four went on to work as a civil servant for 20 years, before starting The Pete Best Band in 1988. Fifty years on from his first performance with The Beatles, Best is still playing to thousands of people, including an estimated 30,000 at a recent concert in Brazil. 

In 1981, streets in Kensington were named after John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Last year, a campaign was launched, led by Beatles fans, including fan club organiser Gene Grimes, for a street to be named after Pete. 

Regeneration supremo Councillor Malcolm Kennedy said: “We receive regular requests to pay tribute to individuals who have made their mark on the city. We only name a street after a living person if it is an exceptional case.

“Pete Best is certainly one of those exceptional individuals. He has made a significant contribution to the musical heritage of our city, and he is a worthy recipient of this honour.”

The Bellefield housing development will consist of 74 four and five-bedroom homes, with the first of the homes due to be completed in the winter.