An "underrated" Merseyside town "deserves more recognition" as it "celebrates its history" and sees exciting future plans.
From the town's 'narrowest street' to exciting plans for the Flat Iron Building, there is much to celebrate around Prescot's rich history already. With funds and grants put towards celebrating its historical links, work is ongoing for other improvements in the area such as public transport.
The ECHO previously reported that the council has submitted bids for round two of the Levelling Up Fund. But we visited the town this month, to see what locals thought about the area and its future potential.
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'It's underrated'
We visited Prescot on a sunny afternoon to speak to visitors about their views on the town and its history and future. One person said: "It's an underrated little town with so much potential.
"You can see already the development to bring it back to life which is needed I think, we need to celebrate its history and support local businesses, that's what a town centre should be about and it's great to see it is not being left to rot."
Another passer-by said they visit Prescot "most days", adding: "It's quick to get a bad name but I love coming here. Lots of local businesses are really trying hard and it's great for the little ones to learn about the history. It really does deserve more recognition."
We also asked people on what they thought the future holds for Prescot, as one resident said: "It's great to see Prescot finally get some investment from the city region. For too long it's been promised and never delivered.
"The theatre [the new Shakespeare North Playhouse opened last month] has been the catalyst for the re-development of the train station and a major driver in the increase in the night time economy offer. More is needed as the theatre is not for everyone, youngsters need a leisure centre within walking distance of their homes or a cycle park.
"The major success of the resurgence has been led by people willing to take a gamble, from Station Coffee House, Jessy&Co to Albion Bakehouse. Not forgetting The Oven or Pinion and the many bars. It's great to see it and I hope more is added to the town."
'Steeped in history'
According to Knowsley Council, Prescot is one of the oldest settlements in Merseyside and has a long and rich heritage. You only have to walk around the town centre to see the eye-catching historical buildings.
A dozen striking red plaques have appeared on buildings throughout Prescot town centre, creating a heritage trail that reveals the diverse architectural history of the town. They were commissioned by the Prescot Townscape Heritage Initiative and showcase buildings and landmarks of historical significance.
One local told us: "Prescot is just steeped in history, a history that you may not even realise, even if you live here. I didn't realise it had the second narrowest street and I used to play there as a kid."
One plaque is located at Stone Street, the second narrowest street in the country measuring at just 28 inches wide. Another plaque marks the site of the original Prescot Playhouse, the first freestanding playhouse outside of London. The unusual Flat Iron building also gets its own plaque, detailing its origins as the factory of the Prescot Watch Company.
But there is one striking property that has stood the test of time and is still embedded in the towns ever-evolving history. Still standing out prominently in the town centre for its exterior, 30 Eccleston Street has had multiple tenants.
Most likely first built as a house, the panels between the timbers are wattle and daub and a mix of clay, mud, sand, dung, hair – anything that would make a sticky mix, known as the daub and would have shown the occupant's wealth.
Just down the street at number 44 lies what became Hemingway's Chemist shop. The frontage was restored based on a photograph taken by Mr Hemingway in 1903. Over in Atherton Street was what would have been the homes and workshops of watch and toolmakers, built in 1770-1790, which had their front doors on a central shared passageway, rather than the street.
But as part of the Prescot High Street Heritage Action Zone programme, Knowsley Council is investing £1.55m (with a further contribution from the Government making a total of £3.1m) into the restoration and reuse of historic buildings in the town centre.
This includes the “Cockpit House” on Church Street, right next door to the Shakespeare North Playhouse, and the restoration of the former Prescot Picture Palace cinema, a Grade II Listed Building, and other key buildings in the town.
The former cinema launched as a theatre hall in 1912 showing films, music, dance and other entertainment, but struggled against the rise of purpose-built cinemas between the wars and closed in the 1950s. It was reborn as a bingo hall, a furniture warehouse and several other uses before the church moved in and it became Prescot Community Church.
Shakespeare links and celebrations
Last month, the town welcomed more than 7,000 people to the opening weekend of the highly anticipated Shakespeare North Playhouse. But the town's links to Shakespeare dates back for generations.
In Elizabethan times, Prescot was the only place outside of London to have a purpose-built theatre. The connection to Shakespeare comes through the Earls of Derby, whose ancestral home at nearby Knowsley Hall dates back to 1495. The Earls of Derby were great patrons of the arts and supported troupes of actors (players) in Elizabethan times.
Knowsley Council adopted a vision for the Playhouse almost 10 years ago and, despite construction starting at the beginning of the pandemic, the project has still been delivered on time.
The Playhouse itself has created a further 39 jobs and works closely with schools and community groups. Expecting to attract more than 140,000 visitors a year and an annual boost of £5.3m to the local economy, the playhouse is said to be a "catalyst for transforming lives."
We spoke to locals out visiting the Playhouse as Emily, who wished to not share her surname, said: "It's fantastic. It lives up to the hype and is great for the area. It will bring more people which is what we need to support the town."
Businesses 'thriving'
Prescot’s night-time economy is said to be "booming" as new independent bars and restaurants invested in the town are up and running. Both The Bard and the Lord Strange bars have been inspired by the town’s Shakespeare connection and the most recent bar to open is The Mermaid Tavern, which opened on Friday, July 22.
The ECHO previously reported that the new pub took its name from the original Mermaid Tavern pub in London, after one of the owners discovered the story of The Sireniacal Gentlemen and The Gunpowder plot during research.
The location for The Mermaid Tavern was chosen due to its close proximity to the new Shakespeare North Theatre, as well as the owners’ other Prescot bars. The pub is also offering a range of pies and pastries for visitors to snack on.
Also thriving is Gary Usher’s Pinion restaurant (part of the Elite Bistro Group) which opened in September 2018 before the construction of the Playhouse had even started. The opening followed a crowdfunding campaign to raise £50,000 in 24-hours to help launch the restaurant.
Almost 1,200 people pledged their support and raised £86,624 in 24-hours, reaching the original target in just 59 minutes. Gary was inspired by the regeneration happening in Prescot and the planned Shakespeare North Playhouse.
On the opening weekend of the Shakespeare North Playhouse, Pinion was the busiest restaurant in the Elite Bistro Group. A spokesman said: "Pinion was our fifth restaurant in the Elite Bistro group, and we used crowdfunding to help bring it to life raising a record £50k within 59 minutes.
"Everyone was so supportive at the time and continue to come see us. Tracie the GM knows all the regulars and you see them getting involved to help us with our other crowdfunds too, we’ve got one live now to help open a pub in Churton. Pinion opened in 2018, and we knew the things were changing in the area at that time.
"The Shakespeare North project was due to open in 2020 so we wanted to be part of it. We knew it would be a massive pull and there’s a great community here too. There’s a lot of independents here working to get people to the high street. And you see that now with the theatre opened.
"Eccleston street was buzzing on that first weekend and we’re hoping it continues like that. Pinion was our busiest bistro in the group that weekend. It’s fantastic to come and feel the excitement with the theatre finally opened – we were waiting for it and it’s definitely given the area a boost."
Many residents and visitors to Prescot were quick to tell us about the "incredible" developments of local businesses which they say is "great for the town". One person said: "I think everyone single business old and new in the town deserve recognition because it takes a lot of hard work, money and stress to run especially after the past 3 years. It’s a massive gamble and I salute them all."
Public transport improvements
Knowsley Council confirmed that improvements have been made to the public transport facilities including major updates to Prescot Railway Station in the form of new signage, public art, unique paving and street furniture along Eccleston Street. The stations also benefitted from an £8m upgrade, which was completed in June, funded through the Local Growth Fund.
£1.9 funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Knowsley Council has also provided improvements to the Prescot Bus Interchange and the public realm in the area.
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