The Stage

Liverpool Everyman gets green light for £28m revamp

Published Tuesday 24 August 2010 at 14:45 by Alistair Smith

Liverpool Everyman’s proposed £28 million redevelopment has been given the go-ahead by the city council, after planning permission was granted for the Haworth Tompkins-designed scheme.

Haworth Tompkins plan for the new Everyman Auditorium Photo: Haworth Tompkins Ltd

The project is due to be completed in 2013, with work beginning on site early next year. As well as re-imagining the 400-seat thrust stage auditorium and the venue’s bistro restaurant, the work will see the creation of a youth and community space with new rehearsal rooms, workshops and a ‘hub’ for writer development. The new building will also feature improved disabled access and be more energy efficient than the current venue, with a natural ventilation system throughout the theatre.

Council leader Joe Anderson endorsed the new design describing it as “a vital redevelopment for the city’s future”.

Last month, the venue learned that £2.4 million of funding earmarked for the scheme by the North West Development Agency would no longer be available. However, senior officials at the theatre say they have engaged in “positive discussions with all project stakeholders to close this gap and maintain the quality and momentum of the project”.

Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse executive director Deborah Aydon said: “This is a fantastic endorsement by [Liverpool] City Council and a very positive signal to our stakeholders and funding partners. It will be a great boost to ongoing negotiations and help maintain the strong momentum of the Everyman redevelopment.”

Artistic director Gemma Bodinetz added: “Over the summer we have been holding public presentations and drop-in sessions, continuing the consultation with the many people who care passionately about their Everyman. We have been overwhelmed by the positive response to the new design and with the desire that this greener, more accessible and inclusive vision of the Everyman and Bistro becomes a reality in the near future.”