The contractor  has been waiting in the wings since January 2018 when they were appointed to support the design process and deliver the initial enabling works on site.

Kier will now start in earnest in January on the main build.

Ian Tabbron, Interim Chief Executive, Shakespeare North Playhouse said: “Awarding the contract to Kier is yet another positive sign of progress in our journey to complete the UK’s Shakespearean triangle in Prescot.

“The vision to create the Shakespeare North Playhouse has been many years in the making and moving into this exciting phase of major construction is a significant achievement.

“The sense of anticipation in the local area is tangible and it will be wonderful to see this project start to come out of the ground early in the new year.”

When complete the Shakespeare North Playhouse will provide a 350 seat theatre, modelled on the cockpit-in-court design of the 17th century.

Alongside the theatre will be an outdoor performance garden, exhibition and visitor centre and educational facilities.

Initial enabling works have already been completed on site and the off-site specialist construction of the historic timber framed theatre is also well underway.

This will be the centrepiece of the new building and is being manufactured by Peter McCurdy – a world renowned creator of historic theatre including the Globe and the Sam Wanamaker Theatre.

Construction is expected to be completed in spring 2022 and the first performances scheduled to take place in the summer to coincide with Knowsley’s year as the Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture.

Peter Commins, Managing Director of Kier Construction (North West) Ltd. said: “Working on a development as high profile and prestigious as this is an absolute honour.”