The Stage

Liverpool Lantern goes up for sale

Published Thursday 14 July 2011 at 11:52 by Natalie Woolman

A fringe venue in Liverpool, which was transformed into a theatre two years ago, has been put up for sale.

The Lantern Theatre’s owner is inviting proposals from organisations which are interested in buying the space.

Co-owner Clare Keating said this was due to family and other work commitments. She said: “We have got another business, Tiny Giants, and the Lantern was always an extra to us. As it is, it is becoming more and more demanding and I have just had twins.

“Ideally, we are looking for someone who would continue what we have set up. It would be a shame for it to be ripped out and for it just to become a club. I would like it to continue as a theatre, rather than it being turned into a music venue.”

The venue is in a converted warehouse near the Liverpool One district. It seats around 85 people and hosts performances by touring companies and comedians, as well as its two resident companies Tiny Giants Productions and the Lantern Theatre Company.

Keating said the space was flexible and suitable for a range of shows, but added she wanted to sell it to an individual or group “who cares about it as much as we do”. Expressions of interest should include intentions for the Lantern and background information about the applicant’s experience. The deadline for proposals is July 15.

The Lantern opened in late 2009, after Tiny Giants moved in to use the space for its rehearsals and gradually transformed it into a fringe theatre. At the moment, Keating said the venue has a show running every week or every other week.