SHAKESPEARE NORTH TRUST

• ⚠

  Material uncertainty over going concern

  Notwithstanding current net liabilities of £757,784 (2024: £262,957) and forecast outturn for the year ending 31 March 2026 of £262,634 (2025: £175,547), the Trustees consider that the charitable company will continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from the signing of these financial statements. This assessment has taken into consideration a number of factors including a letter of support dated 26 November 2025 from Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council in which it commits to provide financial support for 12 months from the date of approval of the accounts, as the charitable company continues to trade as it transitions to a sustainable business plan. This is coupled with the committed support of Arts Council England for the next 3 years. The trustees have considered the going concern basis of preparation for the Charity and as previously outlined, income is increasing year on year with many areas of the business growing and, as the organisation is still in its infancy, there are further future opportunities for growth as audiences develop and profile increases regionally and nationally.

Values shown as filed in the company's annual accounts. — indicates the figure wasn't present under that line item in that period. About these numbers

• Turnover

  +11%

  £2,201,135 → £2,443,353

• Cash

  -38.5%

  £266,602 → £164,018

• Net assets

  -188.2%

  -£262,957 → -£757,784

  lowest in 5 filed years

• Employees

  -4.2%

  72 → 69

• Wages

  +10.8%

  £1,158,625 → £1,284,155

Each % is (latest − prior) ÷ |prior| for the line item as filed. The comparison is only shown when the latest and prior accounts cover broadly equal-length periods — short or long stubs (typical around incorporation or a year-end change) are suppressed rather than misrepresented. Lines a company doesn't report are omitted. About these numbers

Margins divide P&L lines by turnover. Gearing is liabilities over total assets. Current ratio is current assets over creditors falling due within one year. Interest cover is operating profit over absolute finance costs. Sector-distribution context coming next.

1. SHAKESPEARE NORTH TRUST 2007-02-21 → present
2. PRESCOT PLAYHOUSE PROJECT 2006-09-04 → 2007-02-21

Accounting basis

FRS 102

Reporting scope

Consolidated group

Auditor

Mitchell Charlesworth (Audit) Limited

Audit opinion

Unqualified (clean)

Going concern

Material uncertainty disclosed

“Notwithstanding current net liabilities of £757,784 (2024: £262,957) and forecast outturn for the year ending 31 March 2026 of £262,634 (2025: £175,547), the Trustees consider that the charitable company will continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from the signing of these financial statements. This assessment has taken into consideration a number of factors including a letter of support dated 26 November 2025 from Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council in which it commits to provide financial support for 12 months from the date of approval of the accounts, as the charitable company continues to trade as it transitions to a sustainable business plan. This is coupled with the committed support of Arts Council England for the next 3 years. The trustees have considered the going concern basis of preparation for the Charity and as previously outlined, income is increasing year on year with many areas of the business growing and, as the organisation is still in its infancy, there are further future opportunities for growth as audiences develop and profile increases regionally and nationally.”

Group structure

1. SHAKESPEARE NORTH TRUST · parent
   1. Shakespeare North Playhouse Trading Ltd 1% · UK · trading activity includes food and beverage (F&B), retail as well as events and hires.
   2. Shakespeare North Playhouse Production Ltd 1% · UK · to undertake the production, running and closure of in-house theatrical productions and qualifying exhibitions on behalf of the charity.

Significant events

• “2024-2025 has been a period of resilience, ambition, and transformation.”
• “Leadership transition, with Lisa Allen stepping into the role of CEO and Creative Director, has brought both clarity and renewed energy to the organisation.”
• “Twelfth Night successfully met its revenue target and achieved a 67% capacity, the highest for a co-production outside Christmas.”
• “A new partnership with Warrington Borough Council broadened audience reach, bringing increased attendance from Warrington and Cheshire alongside core audiences from Liverpool, St Helens, and Knowsley.”
• “High-profile additions to the An Evening With series, including Stephen Graham and Les Dennis, further enhanced the artistic programme.”
• “Artist development remained a core priority, particularly for underrepresented groups. The Graeae Beyond Programme continued to support deaf, disabled, and neurodiverse artists.”
• “In October 2024, the Global Majority Mentor Creative Programme was launched to strengthen support for Northwest-based artists.”
• “Local talent development was a highlight: Tia Larsen's role as swing performer in Alice in Wonderland led to her casting in the 2025 festive production of Cinderella.”
• “Capital improvements included the installation of a retractable seating bank in the Studio, increasing capacity from 60 to 87 seats.”
• “Learning and Engagement continued to deliver meaningful impact, directly engaging 5,300 children and 3,800 adults.”
• “Events and Hires is showing growth - developing both regular and new bookers. Shakespeare North Bar and Kitchen performed well, with improvements in pre-show dining and additional events such as supper clubs.”
• “Shakespeare North Playhouse's commitment to artistic excellence, community engagement, sustainability, and accessibility has been recognised through multiple awards and nominations, including Entertainment Venue of the Year at the Liverpool Tourism Awards 2025 and a finalist position in the People's Choice Award at the Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards.”

Auditor, going-concern and subsidiary information is drawn from the narrative of the latest annual accounts. About these numbers

Filings

3

last 12 months

Capital events

0

last 24 months

Officers appointed

0

last 12 months

Officers resigned

1

last 12 months

Direct counts from the register. No score, no rating — see the Filing timeline for the underlying events.