A funding package of circa £14 million has been approved for the Shakespeare North Playhouse and rail interchange project in Prescot.

The cash will contribute towards the construction of the new theatre and major upgrades to Prescot train station and transport connections in the town centre.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority approved the funding package from its Single Investment Fund yesterday.

Shakespeare North Playhouse plans to celebrate Knowsley’s links with Elizabethan drama and Shakespeare himself, attracting visitors and students from all over the world.

At the heart of the Shakespeare North Playhouse will be a reproduction 350-seat Jacobean theatre based on the Inigo Jones’ Cockpit-at-Court built in 1629 while other parts of the building will include education facilities, studio theatre, exhibition area, café/bar and outdoor spaces.

The investment into Prescot train station will complement the Shakespeare North Playhouse and will include a remodelled car park with increased capacity, additional lifts in the train station providing access to both platforms, a new pedestrian and cyclist path and signage between the station, town centre and playhouse to help direct visitors.

There are also proposals to illuminate St Mary’s Church, next to the site of the playhouse, together with public realm improvements focused on Eccleston Street.

Kier Construction has been appointed to build the Shakespeare North Playhouse, work has started on site and the main construction will start in summer 2018.

The first phase of the transport improvements will start late summer 2018, commencing with the public realm enhancements between Prescot train station and the playhouse.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram says: “The Shakespeare North Playhouse is a hugely ambitious scheme which will attract jobs and investment, as well as visitors to the city region, and the new rail interchange will make a big difference to people’s lives. “

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