The Atkinson in Southport is back open this week!
And local people will have a pantomime, The Wizard Of Oz, to look forward to on 18-31 December.
The landmark building on Lord Street, which hosts two theatres, a museum, an art gallery, a library, a cafe and much more besides, will welcome people back on Wednesday, 2 December, at 11am.
You will be able to visit The Atkinson Library, Box Office, Museum, Gallery, Shop and Café.
The building, which enjoyed a £20million transformation a few years ago, has been closed these past few weeks due to the national lockdown.
But with Southport moving into new Tier 2 measures from this Wednesday, The Atkinson will be allowed to reopen.
You can even find one of the Nutcrackers from the Southport Nutcracker Trail at the front of the building, as well as admiring the superb Christmas decorations on display.
The building will have a number of Covid safety measures in place.
The Atkinson will be open Monday – Saturday, 11am – 4pm
Library, Box Office, Museum, Gallery, Shop, Cafe
Monday – Saturday, 10am – 11am
A Great Little Place takeaway café
The building is closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays
Christmas Shutdown
The Atkinson will shut down in stages over the Christmas period.
Theatre
OPEN: 18-31 December 2020 for The Wizard of Oz Christmas pantomime
Museum & Galleries
CLOSED: 19 December 2020 – 3 January 2021
Shop, Library, Café
CLOSED: 24 December – 3 January 2021
The Atkinson will re-open to the public Monday 4 January 2021.
Test and Trace Details Required
As with other public services, staff are limiting the number of visitors allowed into The Atkinson, please expect to queue to enter the building.
You are also required to provide NHS Test & Trace details on arrival. If you have a smart phone, please download the NHS Test & Trace app and scan the QR codes located in the foyer when you arrive to help speed up entry. Only one member of your party needs to scan in.
These details are kept securely for 21 days and held only for the purpose of contacting people who may have been exposed to a confirmed case of Covid-19 when they have been identified as visiting The Atkinson.
As Sefton Council is the Public Health Authority, staff will fully support the programme by allowing in only those willing to give their details.
It is mandatory to wear protective face coverings throughout The Atkinson, unless you are eating in the cafe. When you enter The Atkinson, sanitise your hands and follow the directional signage on the floor. Please limit your visit to a maximum of one hour per day and adhere to social distancing measures throughout the building.
Toilet facilities are available for visitors to The Atkinson. Seating areas have been temporarily removed. Please ask a member of staff if you need assistance.
The library offer will be limited to a lending service and essential tasks only. All public group engagements, including story & rhyme time, are temporarily on hold. sefton.gov.uk/libraries
Maximum capacity of 20 visitors at a time in the Library.
Box Office – The Box Office team are available to help with booking enquiries, refunds and exchanges. Please use contactless payments were possible. Find out what’s on.
Museum & Gallery – There is a one-way system in place around the museum and galleries and the interactive displays have been temporarily removed. Free entry. Booking is not required.
Maximum capacity of 10 visitors at a time in the Museum. Maximum capacity of 30 visitors at a time in the Gallery.
Shop – In the shop, please refrain from handling items unnecessarily and be aware of social distancing in this small space.
Cafe – A Great Little Place will be offering a takeaway service from the external café door with a reduced menu and limited outdoor seating, 10am-11am. From 11am-4pm limited indoor seating is available.
Theatre & Studio – The Atkinson has been granted the use of Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre’s See It Safely mark. The mark certifies that they are complying with the latest Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, to ensure the safety of staff and audiences.
The Wizard Of Oz
On 18-31 December, visitors are invited to follow the yellow brick road to The Atkinson where LHK productions will whisk you over the rainbow in their wizardly wicked Christmas pantomime, The Wizard of Oz.
Appearing larger than life in virtual reality, the multi-talented musician, Dancing on Ice and Hollyoaks star Ray Quinn as the magical Wizard of Oz.
The fabulous cast also includes the voice of the airwaves, Claire Simmo from BBC Radio Merseyside & Sandgrounder Radio as Glinda The Good Witch, West End star Chris Barton as Lion, the hilarious Lewis Pryor as Scarecrow, the loveable Mia Molly as Dorothy, Southport’s Tom Burroughs as Tinman and everyone’s favourite dame Michael Chapman as The Wicked Witch.
This classic tale will be wonderfully reimagined on stage in LHK’s sensational panto production based on L. Frank Baum’s beloved children’s book.
Embark on an adventure with Dorothy and Toto as they travel through Munchkin Land to Emerald City with their new friends Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion to meet the magical Wizard of Oz.
To bok tickets for The Wizard Of Oz please visit: www.theatkinson.co.uk/2020/10/wiz-of-oz-xmas-panto/
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