Liverpool law firm Hill Dickinson announced as official legal partner to £38m Shakespeare North Playhouse

Law firm Hill Dickinson is the new official legal partner to the newly-opened Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot.

Inspired by a theatre that once hosted the plays of Shakespeare in the town over 400 years earlier, the venue opened its doors on July 15. It is home to the only 17th-century style, timber-built “cockpit” theatre outside London.

Matt Noon, at Liverpool-based Hill Dickinson, the firm’s head of property, Alex McCann, and legal director Graeme Alder, worked with the team at Shakespeare North Playhouse from December 2021. They provided legal advice and guidance as the development progressed.

“Community based ventures on this scale can be hugely beneficial in attracting national attention and in turn unlocking additional investment into the region,” said Matt. “But they can also be a leap of faith, requiring significant start-up support. 

“As someone who was born and brought up in Liverpool city region, I was delighted to be approached to get involved, both as a supporter of this fantastic initiative and to provide access to high quality legal advice.

“As legal partner to Shakespeare North Playhouse, we are excited to see how the project has come to life and look forward to our continued involvement with chair Max Steinberg and chief executive Melanie Lewis and their team.”

Melanie Lewis, chief executive of Shakespeare North Playhouse, added: “The team at Hill Dickinson have provided excellent legal advice and guidance to support us throughout the opening of this new and exciting venture. 

“It is a privilege to continue working as a professional partner with Hill Dickinson and I look forward to their future involvement with Shakespeare North Playhouse.”