Stephen Browning Associates and Rob Colley
Combined Redevelopment Project. 2024.
Stephen Browning and Finella Devitt were commissioned by the Liverpool Playhouse to undertake a socio-economic impact assessment of the redevelopment of the theatre and the adjoining square. We were also asked to develop the case for funding support for this combined redevelopment project for the theatre which could be presented to the City Council, to stakeholders and to potential funders.
The theatre itself is in dire need of investment and redevelopment, and there is an urgent requirement to improve accessibility in the foyers, in the auditorium and backstage. There is also a need to make the building more energy efficient and to open up the theatre so that it can engage with a daytime audience, with visitors and with the local community. The theatre looks on to Williamson Square, which is a largely a forgotten part of Liverpool’s cultural heritage; visitors to the square have declined by 50% since 2019.
Stephen and Finella worked closely with the theatre management team, with the architects and with local stakeholders to explore ways that a redeveloped Playhouse could help to regenerate the square and to create a new, all-day destination for visitors and the local community. A key part of the process involved rethinking the theatre’s main entrance and creating an all-day café which could open out from the theatre foyer.
Our recommendations for reactivating Williamson Square included a new outdoor performance space which would be programmed by the theatre, a public and outreach programme to be developed by the Playhouse and by other cultural partners such as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Tate Liverpool, a series of digital panels allowing local digital creative practitioners to celebrate the extraordinary heritage of the area, a number of attractively designed stalls for local creative practitioners to sell ceramics, crafts and artwork, and a couple of locally produced food and drink stalls.
We also recommended reactivating the redundant fountains to energise the space and to encourage families and young people to spend more time in the square; the planting of more trees and green space, and the installation of more lighting to make the square safer at night. Our final report included a comprehensive economic and social impact study of the redevelopment of the Playhouse and the alterations to Williamson Square, as well as a compelling vision for this exciting project which would not only save one of this country’s most important Victorian theatres but also create a new gateway to the city and its heritage attractions. Our report was accepted by the CEO of the Playhouse and we await news on the result of funding discussions.
