Liverpool Empire sold as part of £90m deal

Nov 4 2009 by Laura Davis, Liverpool Daily Post

THE Liverpool Empire has been sold as part of a £90m deal to the West End’s largest theatre company.

Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) yesterday confirmed it had purchased Live Nation’s 17 UK theatres, which includes the Lime Street venue and Southport Theatre.

The organisation, whose new executive chair is former BBC director Greg Dyke, maintains the move will not have a major effect on the running of the venues.

Under the deal, ATG will also take over sole ownership of First Family Entertainment, the company producing the Empire’s Christmas pantomime starring Henry Winkler and Les Dennis.

Howard Panter, ATG’s joint CEO and creative director, said: “Our aim is to help maintain the shows and theatres as vibrant successes.

“Live Nation Theatres is a very successful company, with first-class staff and significant customer loyalty.

“It is also blessed with some of the world’s best producers and productions.”

The Empire and Southport Theatre will now become part of the UK’s largest regional theatre company, with a total of 39 venues.

The deal creates a combined business value of around £15m.