The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, the independent charity that promotes the enjoyment and understanding of Shakespeare’s works, life and times, has today (Monday 5 August) welcomed the news of its successful change of use application and announced the next phase of a project to convert a former retail unit into a flagship Learning and Community Hub in Shakespeare’s hometown.
First announced in December 2023, the Learning and Community Hub will be located at 22 Henley Street, the former site of the Edinburgh Woolen Mill store. The project has been part funded by a generous grant from Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s (SDC) Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) fund. The Trust is actively fundraising and will also invest its own funds to support the project.
Now, with the change of use granted by the SDC, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust will begin work on the redevelopment of the building ready to transform it into a vibrant new mixed-use learning and community space in 2025.
“As a charity that focuses on ensuring that everyone has a positive experience with Shakespeare, the new Learning and Community Hub will enable us to host tens of thousands of schools and learning visits from across the world on the street where Shakespeare was born. This is something that has not been possible since 2019 and we are excited by the opportunity this offers for children, young people and our communities within Stratford-upon-Avon.”
Said Rachael North, director of museum and public programmes for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
The new facility is being designed to accommodate and increase the number of formal and informal learning groups of all ages that the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust welcomes into Stratford town centre, as well as offering dedicated exhibition space for local community groups. The venue will also be made available for community groups to host events and meetings.
“The venue will also have the celebration of local communities and talent at its heart. Local artists and creatives will be able to come together and share their work with the public in a dedicated exhibition space. We will also be making the venue available to local community groups throughout the year, helping to foster relationships and provide much-needed spaces for creativity and community engagement in Stratford.”
The Learning and Community Hub is a key element of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust reframing its work as a major museum of Shakespeare for Stratford-upon-Avon and the world. This project sits alongside the planned new accessible collections store, and the beginning of a Trust-wide masterplanning programme which includes exploring the potential for a World Shakespeare Museum on the Gateway site in Stratford-upon-Avon.
No official opening date has been announced for the new Learning and Community Hub, with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust aiming to welcome the first audiences to the venue in the second half of 2025. The Trust will be sharing regular updates on their website and social media channels as the project progresses.