The £19m attraction is the first of its kind in Knowsley and the Liverpool City Region and will sit in the heart of Prescot town centre. When complete, it will house a 350-seat theatre, performance studio, exhibition and education centre, coffee shop and office space.

Plans for a theatre in Prescot are more than 10 years in the making. The vision of Shakespeare North is to celebrate the Elizabethan and Jacobean heritage of Knowsley, a place with historic links to the Earl's of Derby and Lord Strange's men.

Work is due to start on site in April with construction work due to complete to coincide with William Shakespeare's birthday in April 2020. The Playhouse will then welcome its first guests later that year.

As part of the project, Kier will be working with the local supply chain to strengthen the local economy. During construction 11 new apprenticeships and seven new jobs will be created and work placement, training, education and community activities for local schools will also be available.

Once complete, the Shakespeare North Playhouse will create over 200 permanent roles while bringing £5.3m Gross Value Added to the Liverpool City Region and attracting over 100,000 visitors every year.

John O'Callaghan, Kier Construction Northern managing director, said: 'We're excited to be delivering this fantastic scheme for Knowsley Council which builds on our success in the arts and leisure sector, including the recently completed refurbishment and redevelopment of Chester Storyhouse.

'Sitting in the heart of the town, Shakespeare North Playhouse will be a real asset to the local community when complete and we're looking forward to working with the local supply chain to deliver this project and develop the skills of local people with the creation of 11 new apprenticeships.'

Cllr Andy Moorhead, Leader of Knowsley Council, said: 'I am delighted that Kier has been appointed to build the Shakespeare North Playhouse. This is another important milestone for the project and I am looking forward to seeing the start of construction.

'I am proud to lead this Council in bringing such rich cultural and educational experiences to our residents and the wider community. It is a really exciting time for Prescot, Knowsley and the Liverpool City Region.'

Kier Group plc published this content on 31 January 2018 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 31 January 2018 17:29:07 UTC.

Original documenthttp://www.kier.co.uk/press-office/press-release/2018/kier-appointed-for-shakespeare-north-playhouse.aspx

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