To support the bid to be crowned the UK Town of Culture 2028, your views are needed!
The UK Town of Culture is an opportunity for places and communities to use culture and creativity to tell their story and why they are proud of their community. The winning town will receive £3 million to deliver a cultural programme in summer 2028.
Knowsley Council, along with the Knowsley Place Partnership and working with PLACED, has arranged a drop-in event on Saturday 28 February 2026 from 10am until 3pm at The Arc2, Eccleston Street in Prescot town centre to seek your views on the vision for the town.
The team will be on-hand to capture your views, memories and comments on:-
- What is Prescot’s story?
- What is special about Prescot?
- How has Prescot contributed to the national story?
Prescot has a truly unique and compelling story to tell – one which combines a long and fascinating history with a modern success story. The town’s Elizabethan connections and Shakespearean heritage led to the creation of the nationally acclaimed Shakespeare North Playhouse. Today, the theatre stands at the centre of a revitalised town, with renewed civic pride, and demonstrating how culture has acted as a catalyst for change.
In recent years, the town has undergone a huge transformation, thanks to Knowsley Council’s ambitious plans to transform it into a thriving destination with a rich cultural offer and a successful evening economy.
As a result, Prescot is now bustling with a whole range of vibrant independent cafes, bars and restaurants, new businesses, local community groups and creative workspaces.
Prescot is known around the world for its famous Safari Park, and the grand 15th century Knowsley Hall, the ancestral home of the Earls of Derby. And since 2022, it is also home to the landmark and award-winning cultural venue, Shakespeare North Playhouse, which now attracts thousands of visitors each year.
Knowsley has a proven track record of delivering engaging and exciting cultural programmes. During its year as Borough of Culture in 2022, Knowsley hosted more than 60 events attracting more than half a million visitors to the borough and showcasing it to millions more through local regional and national news.
Your views will help to develop the Expression of Interest which must be submitted by 31 March2026. Shortlisted places will be announced in Spring 2026 and the finalists and winner will be announced early 2027.
