Shakespeare North Playhouse has been named Project of the Year at the 2023 Construction News Awards.
The awards celebrate the UK’s leading clients and contractors and showcase and celebrate the very best in the construction industry.
The award was presented to Kier Construction, who were appointed by Knowsley Council as the main construction partner for the cultural landmark venue in Prescot.
The judges were highly impressed with Shakespeare North Playhouse, commenting on the quality of the architecture and execution of the build, also highlighting the incorporation of traditional construction techniques into the heart of the theatre.
The judging panel also noted the significant levels of social value the project has created and the positive impact it will have in Prescot and wider North West, for decades to come.
Shakespeare North Playhouse Exterior May 2022
Shakespeare North Playhouse, which celebrated its first birthday last week, opened in July 2022 and has welcomed over 100,000 visitors through its doors.
This is the latest in a string of awards for the Playhouse. In June, Knowsley Council was presented with the award for Excellence in Planning for Heritage and Culture and was declared the Best Overall Project at the North West Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Excellence 2023.
Earlier this year, the Playhouse was named Theatre Building of the Year at The Stage Awards, the highest profile awards celebrating excellence in British theatre across the whole of the UK.
Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council commented:
“I’m delighted that Shakespeare North Playhouse has received this award. It is further recognition of the success of this once in a lifetime project. Our ambition was to create a world-class cultural landmark here in Knowsley, to benefit our residents but also those from across the North West and beyond. In its first year, the Playhouse has certainly achieved that and more.”
The winners of the 2023 Construction News Awards were crowned in front of the industry on Thursday 13 July at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.