If you didn’t already know Abbey Road studios, where the Beatles recorded many of their hits, is up for sale.
Being such an infamous and historical building, studio and shrine to one of the worlds greatest bands it is no surprise that there has been a national outcry.
Listening to Chris Evans talking with National Trust Director-General Dame Fiona Reynolds this morning it was revealed that the National Trust is very much interested in buying Abbey Road and preserving it for future generations to enjoy. But for this to happen, Dame Reynolds told Chris Evans that for any purchase of the studios to happen the National Trust must get the support of the public.
The National Trust website posted:
“We’re asking you to let us know whether you think the studios should be saved. No price has been put on the building in the affluent St John’s Wood district of North London, but there has been speculation that it could be worth between £10 million and £30 million. If there is enough momentum, we may launch a campaign to save the studios.”
So how is the National Trust suggesting we get the ball rolling, social media of course. If it managed to keep X Factor off the Christmas number one spot and influence a chocolate company to bring back the Wispa then surely it must be able to save Abbey Road?!
Whether this is a genuine plea for pubic opinion or in fact the National Trust exploiting Abbey Roads popularity and unfortunate circumstances to kick-start a social media campaign is up to you. In my opinion, of course they are going to buy Abbey Road, why wouldn’t they? They already own and care for both Paul McCartney and John Lennons childhood homes (the latter gifted to the trust by Yoko Ono) done so without having to consult or seek the support of the public.
What the National Trust will gain from this ‘save Abbey Road’ campaign is a moment in the spot light and if the campaign goes global, which they are hoping it will, then it will do wonders to increase awareness of the brand around the world. Already a popular tourist attraction and with such early publicity and massive support across the Internet which they wouldn’t have got without the help of social media, the purchase of Abbey Road will be a wise investment that will no doubt pay for itself. So, really, who can blame them for utilising social media to take advantage of this opportunity?
There are already a handful of Facebook groups popping up hoping to contribute to saving Abbey Road but the National Trust have centred their official campaign around their own Facebook page, rightly so, and already hundreds of people have been posting comments of support. Similarly, the National Trust Twitter page has busy tweeting and retweeting trying to spread the word- with the help of a certain Chris Evans. Still in its initial stages of building momentum I predict that this social media campaign has legs that will not only contribute in turning Abbey Road turn into an even greater tourist attraction but will also play an influential role in changing the public perception of the National Trust and introducing it to new markets.
