City’s plans for pop-up Shakespearean theatre approved

A pop-up replica of a Shakespearean theatre is to be built in the centre of York after plans were approved by council bosses.

The city’s Castle Car Park will play host to a summer of Shakespeare between May and September next year with Europe’s first full-scale working pop-up replica of a traditional Shakespearean Theatre.

The 12-sided theatre will transport around 100,000 theatregoers back to the late 16th Century – bringing in an estimated £7m to the local economy in the process, City of York Council said.

The council has negotiated a package with Lunchbox Theatrical Productions which will include educational opportunities, an area to showcase local food and drink, and compensation for the temporary loss of parking.

Under the educational offer, schools in York will be offered material for lessons, discounted tickets and pre-show talks with cast and crew.

Cllr David Carr, leader of the council, said: “It is a major coup to attract another high-profile cultural attraction to York, which will give people even more reason to enjoy our city centre.

“We are determined to revitalise the Castle Gateway area. This temporary theatre will give a huge boost to unlocking the tremendous potential of this part of the city.”

The theatre would occupy 135 of the car park’s 318 places, for which the council will be reimbursed £197,308.

There are additional parking spaces in this area of the city to accommodate the cars unable to park at Castle, such as St George’s Field, while the council said it is considering extending the opening of Piccadilly car park into the evening to cater for theatregoers.

Despite being approved, the proposal is still subject to planning permission.