Everyman holds auction

Members of the public are being given an opportunity to purchase their own souvenir of the famous theatre in Liverpool city centre.

An auction opens from Thursday 28 July with auditorium chairs, benches and pillars taken from the existing building in Hope Street being put up for sale.

The Everyman theatre said people can make one bid for each item and state the price they are prepared to pay for it. These bids will then be opened after the closing date of Monday 8 August at 6pm and then sold to the highest bid.

Deborah Aydon, executive director of the Everyman and Playhouse theatres, said: "Many people have expressed a wish to have a memento of the old building as it makes way for the Everyman's new incarnation. All funds raised from the auction will be used to make the new Everyman a really special place, so we hope for a great response."

The building has changed many times from chapel to cinema, boxing arena to theatre space.

As part of a £28m redevelopment programme, the existing theatre and 11 Hope Street will be demolished and replaced by a new three-storey theatre.

As well as a new theatre designed by Haworth Tompkins, the redevelopment includes associated office and rehearsal space, a loading bay at the rear accessed from Arrad Street and alterations to footways at front and rear.

The theatre closed on 2 July and the new building is due to open in 2013.

For more details about the lots and how to make a bid, a form can be downloaded from the Everyman and Playhouse website here or picked up from the Playhouse box office in Williamson Square. The box office is closed on Friday 29 July and Sundays.

Successful bidders will be contacted early on Tuesday 9 August on email or by telephone.