Storyhouse, Chester

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Client: UK Storyhouse Lld
Scale: 140,000 sq. ft. cultural hub (library, theatre, cinema, café)
Impact: 660,000+ library visits annually; 3.5m combined visits with Chester Market
Role: Concept, business planning, project direction, fundraising, set-up, operation

Widely regarded as one of the most inspiring and successful new cultural buildings in the UK.

Opened in 2017, Storyhouse is one of the UK’s most significant new cultural buildings. Combining a library, theatre, cinema, and café, it created a new civic hub and “third place” for Chester.

It’s library is now the UK’s third-busiest library by visits, attracting more than 660,000 people annually and staying open until 11pm daily. Its impact has been city-wide: library visits across Cheshire West and Chester rose by 600,000 in its first year, while the project helped catalyse regeneration of the Market Square, including the opening of Chester’s new market. Together, the two venues attract around 3.5 million visits each year.

We supported the project from inception to operation over nine years, providing concept development, business planning, project direction, fundraising, and operation set-up. Storyhouse is internationally recognised as a model of integrated cultural and civic design, balancing commercial performance with community and cultural benefit.

reviews for storyhouse

““One of the most exciting projects in England at the moment… A powerful, modern, forward-thinking vision.”.”

Sir Peter Bazalgette, Chairman Arts Council
“brave and intriguing ..... take some things that aren’t what they used to be – public libraries, giant old cinemas, regional theatres – and give them new vigour.”

Rowan Moore, The Guardian
“the public library runs as a golden thread through the whole building, ..acts not only as an anchor to wider regeneration plans, but also champions communities ”

Rt Hon Michael Ellis, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
"as much to do with the city’s sense of need for such a space, as it is to do with its design and operation"

Public Sector Transformation Academy

Storyhouse, Chester

reviews for storyhouse

““One of the most exciting projects in England at the moment… A powerful, modern, forward-thinking vision.”.”

“brave and intriguing ..... take some things that aren’t what they used to be – public libraries, giant old cinemas, regional theatres – and give them new vigour.”

“the public library runs as a golden thread through the whole building, ..acts not only as an anchor to wider regeneration plans, but also champions communities ”

"as much to do with the city’s sense of need for such a space, as it is to do with its design and operation"

Sidcup Storyteller