From 'get rid' to 'don't let it die': What you think should be done with Preston's Guild Hall

If there’s one topic which Preston cares about it’s the fate of the languishing Preston’s Guild Hall. so, unsurprisingly it’s also become a local election hot topic as we approach Thursday’s vote. We asked for your opinions and you replied with a mixture of nostalgia and pragmatism and thwarted city pride.

Is it too big or too small or should it be restored or rebuilt?

The main Guild Hall is currently closed for structural reasons.

• Andy said: “Doesn't matter if too big or too small it hasn't been open in years - anything is better than nothing.”

• Barbara said: “ It’s always been the right size for Preston. I would go back any size.”

• Andrew said:” Just right for the size of Preston. Never had a problem with it when attending shows, except perhaps the Bar areas were a bit utilitarian.”

• Christine said: “Put some gigs in the big theatre and it'll soon be making money again. The Continental is small but popular for local music gigs so let local bands come and play. Also 80's nights would pack the place out!”

• Judith said: “ Just the theatre is needed in the centre of town. A bigger place needs building on the outskirts to enable larger acts to perform there eg Coldplay.”

• Neil said: “ Get ATG or similar to come in and build a new theatre/venue similar to others they have like Aylesbury Waterside and Milton Keynes. These are great modern theatres. They could be given the land on a 999 year lease for a peppercorn rent on certain conditions such as them covering the full build cost and making it available for certain community purposes for free, and perhaps requiring a tier of very affordable tickets at every performance so everyone can afford to visit.”

• Clive said: “Use to hold major sports events. Snooker, Darts, Bowls, Badminton etc. could be an ice rink in Winter.It was used for Graduation from UCLAN so it is a great event space and the awesome Charter Theatre.”

• Anne and Graham said: “ Get rid, build something that will last, is efficient to run, multi purpose, for music comedy/ theatre, similar size to present, coffee shops below, restaurants. One main hall, flexible stage, multi purpose, apply for lottery funding, get housing developers to put money in.”

• In reply to Anne and Graham, Gary said: “The Guild Hall is muti functional, besides concerts, it was had indoor bowling, snooker, badminton, wrestling, boxing, exerbitions, dinner dances, presentations, I know I worked at all those things in the main hall as for the Charter Theatre, plays, I went to see John Bishop and it has had other comedians on that stage. It needs the right management like it had in the past, if the King George Hall in Blackburn can do it, so can the Guild Hall.”

• Gerald said: “ Loved it and all the concerts Ive enjoyed there. Seemed the right size.”

• Heather said: “ Do repairs reopen and have gigs in their again shame to waste such a fabulous building and also bring back Christmas pantos for families .”

• Warwick said: “ I worked on the main arena as an apprentice painter in 1972, which was the year it should have opened for the Guild Year. Alas the the building strikes delayed its opening until 1973. I remember looking around the complex when it was finished. It was fabulous. The main arena, where I'd seen Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Status Quo, Bad Company, and Michael Jackson. Yes Michael Jackson who was part of the Jackson 5.There was also the Charter Theatre, function rooms and I'm sure a restaurant, a booking office and public toilets. There were shops on the ground level and Whelans supermarket at the far end that led to the bus station via an underpass. It was a magnificent complex and the powers that be have let it become delapidated. It's only 53 years since completion. Don't let it die. Shame on you if you do.”

• Nicola said: “ The theatre is far too small that’s why we never got the big musicals. Always had to go to Manchester for the big ones and Blackpool for most others..At least we got decent comedians in the guild hall but the theatre was too small. One new decent size theatre that could accommodate both would be better. “

• Jon: “Saw some great performances there over the years.”

• Reg said: “ Preston is a town with City status, it’s the perfect size.”

• David said: “Good enough for Iron Maiden, good enough for anybody.”

• Dee said: “ Do the repairs and open back up.”

• Angela said: “ It’s an amazing venue, i worked there from the first opening night, who I didn’t see that year wasn’t worth seeing , I was 17. Lucky me, Get it buzzing again.

• Edmund said: “ Some great gigs there in to 70s what went wrong.”

• Stuart said: “ Make the entire problematic roof off … extend it outwards by about 8 rows on each side where possible… make it at least 3500 capacity… that would be big enough to get bigger gigs and sports back too .”

• Anthony said: “ Bulldozer the thing and rebuild bigger and better Preston should be putting far bigger shows on.”

• Alex said: “ How can it be used as a venue if it has dangerous, weak concrete in the roof beams? “

• Richard said: “t served a perfect purpose.”

• Paul said: “ Saw Bowling and Snooker there in the 70's/80's.”

• Peter said: “ In it’s present state it’s costing the taxpayers of Preston £2000 per week. All because Preston Labour had to abide by their political dogma when finding a ‘partner’ to give it away. As always, it is politics before people and place with Preston Labour.”

• Amanda: “ Needs a complete re-model wasted seats behind stage modernise get the concerts and shows back in Preston City !!”

• Lou said: “ It isn't an appealing building or a nice surrounding area... Doesn't feel or look special going there for a pricey event so why would the upcoming instagram generation bother?”

• Tom said: “ Needs to be bigger, it's an awkward size currently. Too big for local acts cutting their teeth and too small for more well known and/or international stars to bother with.”

• Miles: “Too small to attract big acts ..too big, visa versa.”

• And Stuart’s opinion of the size? “Perfect.”