Alara Community Arts CIC

An exciting step towards a permanent home for creativity in Knowsley

Over the past few months, Alara Community Arts CIC has been working behind the scenes on an ambitious project that we believe could transform opportunities for creativity in Kirkby.

Our vision is to establish a permanent Creative Employability & Community Hub in the heart of Kirkby Town Centre, providing local people with access to professional arts training, performance opportunities, creative business support and community activities under one roof.

The proposed home for the project is Unit 9 Market Square, a town centre location that would allow us to become part of Kirkby’s ongoing regeneration while creating something that currently doesn’t exist within the area.

More than just a performance venue

The hub is being designed as a flexible creative space where people of all ages can learn, create and develop new skills.

Our plans include:

• Industry-led workshops in performance, digital media and creative production
• Employability programmes for young people
• Community theatre and live events
• Meeting space for local organisations
• Creative business mentoring
• Family-friendly arts activities
• Affordable venue hire for community groups

Our long-term ambition is simple: to ensure that talent is never limited by opportunity.

Working alongside the community

Since launching the project we’ve met with representatives from Knowsley Council, Community Builders, local councillors, funding organisations and community partners who share our belief that creativity has an important role to play in regeneration.

These conversations have helped shape our plans and reinforced that there is genuine demand for a dedicated creative hub within Kirkby.

Our proposal also aligns closely with the wider ambitions for Kirkby Town Centre and Knowsley’s commitment to supporting residents, skills development and inclusive growth.

What’s next?

We’re currently working through funding applications, partnership discussions and the final stages of securing suitable premises.

There’s still plenty of work ahead, but every meeting and every conversation brings us one step closer.

We’ll continue sharing updates as the project develops.