CITY arts organisation Chester Performs have teamed up with local company Deckchairstripes to provide bunting, deckchairs, cushions and props for this year’s Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre.

The popular outdoor event opens on Thursday, July 7 with productions of Shakespeare’s As You Like It and new play by Glyn Maxwell Merlin and the Woods of Time.

Evening and matinee performances will then continue at the picnic theatre until Sunday, August 21.

Andrew Bentley of Chester Performs said: “We are absolutely over the moon to have Deckchairstripes on board, they couldn’t be a better fit.

“This season’s productions are all about colourful costumes, jousts and japes. We were keen to make the whole affair as cheerful as possible and with the help of Maria and her team it’s all going to look beautiful.”

Deckchairstripes have been trading online at www.deckchairstripes.com for four years, first based in Tarporley before moving to their current location in Waverton Business Park.

The company’s fabrics have been used by the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe.

Their traditional hardwood deckchairs will provide seating for VIP ticket holders, while the brightly coloured cushions will be made available for picnic terrace seating.

There will also be plenty of bunting and Deckchairstripes’ unique beach tents will prove to be the perfect shelter for the on-site box office.

Councillor Stuart Parker, portfolio holder for culture, Cheshire West and Chester, said: “We are delighted that these projects we create are able to involve so many local companies.

“Deckchair Stripes embody the entrepreneurial spirit we need in Chester and obviously their tie up with the open air theatre is fantastic.

“This is perfect for Grosvenor Pak – it encourages the kind of family ownership of the space that we are after, one of the reasons we were so keen to stage the open air theatre in the first place.”

Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre is produced by Chester Performs in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Tickets for Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre are on sale now and still available from just £12.

Book online at www.grosvenorparkopenairtheatre.co.uk, by calling 0843 241 7868 or by visiting Chester Visitor Information Centre.