• Share on Facebook
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Linkedin
  • Share by email
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Linkedin
  • Share by email

Liverpool's Royal Court Theatre has been shocked by news that a site earmarked for its new youth arts centre has been leased to home entertainment store HMV.

The Nabe had planned to open in the old New Look shop on Williamson Square next month, providing space to community choirs and a youth theatre.

"Now we are left without a home and over 300 disappointed young people and community members not being able to access much needed activities and engagement," Liverpool Royal Court's Head of Community and Education Mirian Mussa said.

The theatre is now appealing for any local premises available to let to get in touch. It is looking for a space of 8,000 to 12,000 square feet.

Executive Producer Kevin Fearon said the theatre was surprised to have lost the building while it waited for planning permission.

"We had an agreement, we’d spoken with the council about our plans and the change of use, we had applied for planning permission, we had a schedule for how we were going to use the space and we had told staff and participants about the move."