Lyceum Square to reopen with stunning launch event

Crewe’s Lyceum Square has been transformed into an exciting events and performance space and the site is ready to host a brilliant range of activities in the summer season.

Ly²  launches on Saturday 24 June with exciting performances from national dance circus company, Motionhouse, fresh from featuring at the National Lottery’s Big Eurovision Welcome event in Liverpool. 

You can catch performances of Motionhouse’s daring outdoor show, ‘Wild’ at 2pm and 4.45pm on the day. Both performances are free to attend and are not ticketed. The shows are suitable for all audiences. 

As well as a new raised events stage with an integrated digital screen, the new Ly² scheme includes colourful and multi-functional street furniture and improvements to key gateways into the square. 

The improvements have included the installation of an eagle mural which has been applied to the southern market shed known as ‘Crewe Central’ operated by the Crewe Market Hall team. The eagle sits next to floor art on the Northern market shed designs, which has also recently been completed. 

Councillor Nick Mannion, vice chair of Cheshire East Council’s economy and growth committee, said: “It is really exciting to see this project come to fruition. This space lends itself so well to a really broad range and diversity of arts events. 

“Being able to open now is another big boost to Crewe, as it keeps up the positive momentum built by the revamped Market Hall and also dovetails nicely with a fantastic programme of events that is already being provided by the Lyceum Theatre.

“It’s also important to add that this isn’t just about the here and now though. As we’re approaching high summer, we are of course focusing our attention on an events and activity programme that takes us right through to September, but our commitment to Ly² will extend well beyond that.”

Doug Kinsman, chair of Crewe Town Board, said: “Ly² is here to stay, and I’m thrilled to see how this space will really connect our communities and provide opportunities to step up our arts scene in Crewe another notch. I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating – this is a transformative project for Crewe’s town centre.”

The vision for Ly² was developed by the Crewe Cultural Forum – a collaboration of more than 100 residents, organisations and businesses in Crewe – and it aims to enhance the setting of the Lyceum Theatre and Crewe Market Hall and create a cultural heart for the town centre.

Highways works are continuing as part of the programmed multi-phased approach, which includes Hill Street and part of Heath Street. This will involve installation of final materials and imprinting of the junction and will be completed later this summer. 

Later this summer there will also be a more formal launch of the scheme.

Crewe Town Board was allocated £750,000 from the government’s Accelerated Towns Fund for an improvement scheme for the Lyceum Square and adjacent areas. The project is also supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Crewe Town Council.

The Ly² project was delivered by Cheshire East Council and overseen by Crewe Town Board with Crewe Town Council and Lyceum Theatre also key partners.