Plans have been approved for The Sir Ken Dodd Happiness Centre to go ahead in Liverpool.
Work could start on the £15million project next to the Royal Court Theatre as early as next year.
The four-storey building would become a permanent home to Dodd’s archive and Happiness exhibition celebrating his life currently showing at National Museum Liverpool.
It will also offer spaces for comedy-based workshops, talks and performance, as well as a giant sculpture outside the building inspired by Dodd’s famous tickling stick.
The comic’s widow, Lady Anne Dodd, said: ‘I am thrilled that my dream of creating a legacy to celebrate Ken’s life has reached such a landmark stage. I think the building looks fantastic and I know Ken would be delighted at its location, just a stone’s throw from his favourite building in the city, St George’s Hall.’
Gillian Miller, chief executive of Liverpool’s Royal Court added: ‘We are delighted to announce planning approval for this iconic legacy to Liverpool’s greatest entertainer, Sir Ken Dodd.
‘We have been working with Lady Anne Dodd from the beginning of the design process to ensure that the building reflects Ken’s mantra that "Happiness is the greatest gift that we possess". There is no better city than Liverpool to create a centre for happiness and wellbeing in, and we are looking forward to delivering a unique building for the city that epitomises happiness.
‘Our plans for the world’s biggest tickling stick will become a landmark for the city attracting tourists and visitors from near and far, putting a smile on everyone’s face. This is a wonderfully positive project for the city and much needed in these uncertain times.’
The project will be designed by Stirling Prize winning architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris.
Executive director Paul Monaghan said: ‘Having grown up in Liverpool in the 1960s and 1970s I was always aware of Sir Ken Dodd from his music, TV appearances and legendary performances. He was always a favourite because his humour was surreal and timeless which is why he was still a popular entertainer up until his passing.
‘It’s therefore a great honour to work on the design for this building with Lady Anne Dodd and the Royal Court Theatre on such a key site in Liverpool.’
The Comedy Trust – the charity behind the Liverpool Comedy Festival whose aim is ‘to help create happier, healthier people and communities through the use of comedy, laughter and humour’ – is also backing the project
Its chief executive, comedian Sam Avery, previously said: ‘The building will epitomise the late Sir Ken Dodd’s belief that comedy and humour are essential ingredients for life, creating happier, healthier people.’
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