2013 seems a long way off…
Arts Council England today announced a £12.8 million investment in Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust towards a major new capital development of the Everyman theatre.
The new building will provide a state of the art 21st century home for producing theatre in Liverpool, as well as being a base for the exemplary community and education programmes that connect the Everyman with so many people in Merseyside and beyond.
The proposal is based around a complete new build of the Everyman theatre which will include a 400-seat auditorium with flexible layout arrangements, theatre and community spaces, the writers’ hub, production rehearsal and workshop areas, back of house, bistro and office spaces.
The Arts Council England award will be subject to specific funding conditions, which will need to be met to secure the investment.
It is anticipated that planning permission will be sought in November 2009 with the launch of the new Everyman estimated to be early in 2013, subject to additional funding being raised to meet the total project cost of £28 million.
The Everyman theatre was highlighted in a report by arts consultant Graham Devlin as being a fitting legacy to Liverpool’s achievements as the 2008 European Capital of Culture. Since the report the Arts Council has been working with the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Liverpool City Council to develop an appropriate solution.