Contractor chosen for Shakespeare North Playhouse

A contractor has been chosen to build the Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot.Knowsley Council’s cabinet has agreed the appointment of Kier Construction as preferred construction partner on the project to create a new theatre, education and exhibition centre in the town centre. The proposed building will feature a 350-seat theatre, education facilities, performance studio, exhibition and education centre, office accommodation, and a coffee shop and bar.Upon completion, the Shakespeare North Playhouse is expected to create approximately 20 new direct jobs and more than 200 offsite permanent posts while bringing £5.3m of gross value added to the Liverpool City Region and attracting about 111,000 visitors per year.Full planning permission was granted in April 2016 and again in November 2017 when an updated design for the building was approved.Pre-construction work is due to start in April 2018 and building work is expected to be complete by the anniversary of William Shakespeare’s birthday in April 2020, with the theatre opening to guests and students later that year.