RIBA launches Prescot Market Place competition

The Royal Institute of British Architects has launched an international design competition for Prescot’s historic Market Place.

Organised in partnership with Knowsley Council with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, the first phase of the competition will require architect-led teams to submit designs anonymously in digital format.

Five concept designs will then be shortlisted to participate in the second phase. Euan Macdonald from HawkinsBrown is fulfilling the role of architect adviser.

The redesign of Market Place is the largest project yet to be undertaken by the Prescot Townscape Heritage Initiative, which over four years has invested £1.6m in conservation and celebration of the market town’s historic buildings and spaces, leveraging £400,000 of private investment.

To date, ten buildings in Prescot town centre have been, or are being, repaired and restored to their former glory. The Market Place project is the third public realm area to be tackled.

John Flaherty, executive director of place at Knowsley Council, said: “The Prescot THI is a fantastic initiative and is literally changing the face of Prescot.

“The redesign of Market Place will create a vibrant special space in the town centre which will complement other amazing developments in the town including the new Shakespeare North Playhouse & Cinema, making Prescot even more attractive to visitors, residents and businesses.”