Strategically located between Liverpool and Manchester, Prescot is one of Merseyside’s most historic market towns with a rich and active history of coal mining, pottery and even watch making. The town has the added distinction of having been home to the first purpose-built Elizabethan theatre outside of London.

As part of an ambitious, five-year redevelopment plan to conserve and celebrate the town’s historic buildings and spaces, this international competition asked designers and architects to “reimagine” Prescot Market Place.

Despite its prominent location within the town and just below the Grade I Listed parish church, churchyard and listed 1916 war memorial, Prescot Market Place (800m2 area of open space) had been left disused and forgotten.

Our design sought to provide a dynamic, flexible, multi-use event space – an Open Pavilion in the heart of the town. In response to Prescot’s connection to Shakespeare and the theme of “play”, we approached the site as a year-round stage for both spontaneous and planned events to unfold, for performances and gatherings by the community, for the community.

The proposal comprises a raked landscape forming a central open, flexible space – an urban green for sitting; an open theatre; space for a market and public events. As an urban attractor, we designed a mirrored structure that reflects light, activity and the surrounding buildings and spaces. The circular raised plinth marks the location and form of the original market building, while also serving as an impromptu stage.