Opened in May 2017, Storyhouse is a library, theatre, cinema, community hub, cultural centre and restaurant. Storyhouse had one million visits in its first year. The building was formally opened by Her Majesty the Queen and The Duchess of Sussex, on 14 June 2018.
The pioneering new library within Storyhouse, where members of the community work alongside city librarians, has the longest opening hours of any UK public library and is open every day until 11pm. Storyhouse offers over 2,000 activities each year for local marginalised groups, including autism friendly colouring sessions, sewing groups for refugees and regular classes for isolated and older communities.
The organisation houses a nationally-acclaimed theatre company with home-produced stage shows each year, including the first ever version of Enid Blyton’s The Secret Seven. Storyhouse also founded and runs the country’s most successful regional open-air theatre company, Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, in the city’s main park, and an open-air cinema, Moonlight Flicks.
Storyhouse produces and is home to a number of specialist festivals each year, including Chester Literature Festival, WayWord half-term Festival, Storyhouse Women, Blink Festival for new parents, Love Later Life and The Great Get Together for older communities, Kaleidoscope Festival for adults living with a disability, Young Takeover, and Storyhouse Festival of Languages.
Media Enquiries:
Nancy Davies, PR & Marketing Manager
nancy@storyhouse.com | 01244730521
Awards for Storyhouse
Winner
UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre 2019/20 – UK Theatre Awards
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year & Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award – Marketing Cheshire Awards –
Overall winner 2018 – The Guardian Public Service Awards
RIBA National Award – RIBA Awards
RIBA North West – RIBA Awards
Judges Choice Award – Cheshire Business Awards
Special Award for Community Impact and Engagement – The Civic Trust Awards
The Civic Trust Award Overall winner – The Civic Voice Design Awards
Historic Building Winner – The Civic Voice
Best Change of Use of an Existing Building category – LABC Building Excellence Awards
Highly Commended, Community Benefit category – North-West Region RICS Award
Best Marketing Project – Marketing Cheshire Awards
Best Entertainment or Leisure Venue FX – Design Awards
Collaboration Award – Royal Town and Planning Institute
Nominee
BBC’s People’s Choice Building of the Decade (winner Cheshire category)
Best Building The Stage Awards
Best Design (A Little Night Music) The Stage Awards
Best Play for Children and Young People(The Secret Seven) The Stage Awards
Best Cultural Building – The Architects Awards
