Shakespeare North Playhouse is delivering millions of pounds of economic benefit, supporting new jobs, strengthening local businesses, and acting as a major catalyst for the regeneration of Prescot and the wider city region, according to the findings of an independent evaluation.
The landmark £38 million cultural venue – backed by £11m from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, £18 million from Knowsley Council, alongside other key funders including Arts Council England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Sir Ken Dodd Foundation – has rapidly become a cornerstone of the region’s visitor economy since opening in 2022. The Combined Authority also invested £8 million to improve public transport in Prescot.
The new evaluation, carried out by AMION Consulting, confirms that the Playhouse is already making a transformative contribution to the Liverpool City Region’s economy, cultural life and international profile.
The Playhouse now attracts around 100,000 visitors a year on average, generating £12.4 million in annual visitor expenditure across the City Region. This includes both onsite and offsite spending, helping to sustain local businesses and boost the wider visitor economy.
The evaluation also confirms that the venue has delivered:
- 70 full-time equivalent (FTE) direct jobs, significantly exceeding the original target of 39.
- 60 off-site jobs supported across the City Region through visitor spending.
- A combined Gross Value Added (GVA) boost of £5.8 million per year to the Liverpool City Region economy.
The construction phase generated 280 construction jobs and more than £15 million in net additional GVA for the local economy.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:
“Shakespeare North is a shining example of what can be achieved when we back our communities with real ambition and vision. It hasn’t just taken centre stage in Prescot’s revival – it’s helped breathe new life into the town centre increased footfall and given local businesses a well-deserved boost, while generating millions for our visitor economy too.
“I’ve always believed that culture has the power to transform places for the better and there’s no better example of that in action than Shakespeare North. This is a story that’s only just begun, and I’m really excited to see it continue to grow, inspire, and draw audiences from near and far.”
The project, constructed throughout the Covid 19 pandemic was delivered by Knowsley Council.
Knowsley Council Leader, Cllr Graham Morgan, commented:
“Shakespeare North Playhouse was a vision in the planning for decades, so to see it now being enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors each year is really quite overwhelming.
We hear stories every day about the positive impact the Playhouse has had on many people in our communities and people who have visited from further afield too. To now see some of the economic benefits quantified is really positive and it reinforces our confidence that this wonderful venue is doing much more than providing accessible cultural opportunities for our community. It is positively contributing to our economic future too – which is great news for Knowsley and the Liverpool City Region.”
Max Steinberg CBE DL, Chair of Shakespeare North commented:
“Shakespeare North Playhouse shows what targeted investment can deliver. It’s driving footfall, supporting local businesses and creating jobs – using culture as a catalyst for the wider regeneration of Prescot.
This is about more than building a theatre, it’s about restoring civic pride and laying the foundations for long-term economic growth across Knowsley and the wider City Region. Our focus now is to build on this success, working together to maximise the impact of this investment and make sure local communities see the full benefit in the years ahead.”
Lisa Allen, Chief Executive and Creative Director at Shakespeare North commented:
“Culture has the power to transform communities, and Shakespeare North Playhouse is already demonstrating that in Prescot and across the Liverpool City Region. In a remarkably short space of time, we’ve created a venue delivering real cultural, social and economic impact. We’ve become a true community hub; place that is inclusive and loved by people of all ages, welcoming many who are experiencing theatre for the very first time.
“This is just the beginning. With the strength of our partnerships, including the vital support of Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, we can go even further – growing audiences, deepening our impact and strengthening the visitor economy. Shakespeare’s global reach gives us a powerful platform to attract global audiences and bring more visitors to Prescot and the wider City Region.”
The report confirms that the Shakespeare North Playhouse could not have been delivered without extensive public funding including Combined Authority’s SIF support and Knowsley Council investment, with the project’s non-profit model and scale limiting private finance options. The Playhouse forms part of a wider culture-led regeneration strategy for Prescot and Knowsley, aligning with the Liverpool City Region’s Plan for Prosperity and long-term ambitions for inclusive economic growth.
The Playhouse provides:
- A stunning 470-seat Jacobean theatre, the first of its kind in the world.
- 4,030 sqm of commercial floorspace, including education, leisure and community facilities.
- Public spaces and an outdoor performance garden
The evaluation highlights the Playhouse’s strong impact on place-making and community confidence. Nearly 60% of visitors said their visit improved their perception of Prescot, and the venue’s acclaimed design has won numerous regional and national awards, including The Stage’s Theatre Building of the Year and multiple Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards.
The Playhouse has also delivered major educational and community benefits, including:
- A rapidly expanding schools partnership programme, with pupil engagement increasing from 3,029 to 10,931 within a year, supported by Tritax Big Box Developments.
- Successful cultural inclusion schemes such as “Pay What You Decide”, supporting access for Knowsley residents, with 26,433 PWYD tickets purchased since opening.
- A strong volunteer and social impact programme delivered in partnership with Livv Housing, supporting local people into training and employment, and further strengthened by corporate partners, including Beverston Engineering.
For more on Shakespeare North, click HERE.