Knowsley Council to invest £6m in Shakespearean theatre

A Shakespearean educational theatre in Prescot, Merseyside, is set to receive seven-figure backing from Knowsley Council.

The authority has confirmed plans to plough £6m into bringing the Shakespeare North project, which goes before the planning committee on April 21, to fruition.

According to council leader Cllr Andy Moorhead, the theatre is anticipated to be worth £10m to the wider economy and would create 57 full-time jobs upon its launch, in addition to supporting 210 construction jobs.

Cllr Moorhead explained: “This is a project of a significant scale, with a potentially transformational effect on Prescot, Knowsley and the wider Liverpool City Region.

“While the proposals still need to gain the necessary planning approval, it would appear to be very much in the interests of local people and businesses to do what we can to make sure the development happens.”

He added: “That’s why we have agreed a financial contribution from the Council to help to deliver this exciting project.”

The theatre would also cause spending in the area to increase by nearly £1.5m every year, the authority has predicted.

Cllr Moorhead continued: “It would put Prescot on the map internationally as an important visitor attraction, and would, in turn, be a huge boost not only to Knowsley but also to the wider Liverpool City Region.”

In July last year, the council revealed a £25.6m plan to invest in the Knowsley area by reallocating some of its cash reserves and expected income, in addition to ‘invest to save’ borrowing. The £6m Shakespeare North investment will be allocated from the package.