'Preston needs a Guild Hall that can attract the biggest shows and stars'

Preston City Council said this week that it would spend the next year establishing whether it could secure the up to £100m funding that would be needed to build a brand new attraction, while continuing to prepare for a refurbishment of the existing building in case the cash cannot be found.

It prompted plenty of debate on our Facebook page - with renovation being the most popular option. Here are a flavour of your thoughts...

Vanessa Conlin:

Preston absolutely needs a venue that can attract and support talent on a larger scale. Historically the Guild Hall provided a great night out and Preston needs this as a refurbished venue to keep the centre alive.

Michael Dunphy:

Might be cheaper to refurbish opposed to demolition? They need to work out the costings of each option first? Used to be a great attraction for music and theater also the snooker.

Fiona Weaver:

It must be refurbished! It is an outstanding venue offering a great hall and smaller theatre. I‘ve been privileged to perform on both stages and see some wonderful concerts/shows there over the years. It is terrible how the place was run to the ground. Look at the history of who has performed there. Bring some art and culture back to our home!

Martin Dodd:

Refurbished without as there is these days very little left of Preston’s historic music venues. That venue means so much to the people of Preston who have always loved their live music.

The Historic Liverpool Empire which is also steeped in musical history. Was refurbished around 16 years and is a fantastic testament to a combination of both the traditional and modern architectural designs. Lessons could be learned by looking into what was done back then to upgrade the building as it is now.

Ian Yates:

Preston needs it, was a massive draw of people when it was run proper.

Chris Smith:

The honest answer here is that this isn’t really a “big ask” — it’s a fairly straightforward decision.

Spending time and money exploring renovation options for the current Preston Guild Hall feels like a waste of resources. The building simply isn’t fit for purpose anymore, and attempting to refurbish it risks turning into another “the budget has tripled” saga.

Sometimes the sensible option is to accept that a building has reached the end of its life.

Flatten the site and focus on delivering a modern venue that Preston can genuinely be proud of. A far better location would be the Fishergate Shopping Centre site once it is redeveloped — directly opposite Preston railway

Janet Cragg:

Refurbished as this is likely to be more affordable than demolition and rebuild.

Christopher Buckley-Smith:

See if a lottery grant can be got and see if they can restore it and refurbish it, it would be so sad if it was demolished, Led zeppelin, David Bowie, The Jackson 5, Elton John, The Smiths and loads more have performed there, my fave artists Ozzy Osbourne performed there with Black Sabbath in 1978, so many names and so much history

Paul James Kelly:

Refurbish! It's an iconic building. Won't cost 80 million to fix!

John McNicholas:

This building needs to be listed to save it. Same discussion about viability and cost was had regarding the iconic bus station.

Jonathan Berisford:

Modern, multi use and standout from the other styles of architecture is whats needed to lift that area.

Mervyn Francis:

Beautiful theatre. Save it.

Deborah Cross:

Definitely refurbish.

Christine Breakell:

Definitely refurbish and soon

Vonnie Rawsthorne:

Make is suitable for live music. The sound has always been dreadful in there, which for a purpose built venue is disappointing. But do something to bring artists in. Look at the set up in places like the Academy Manchester and see the venues within the venue so the levels of audience can be catered for. Don’t just rely on the big venue to be full. Make the venue work for you.

Sandra Newsham:

Watched some fab shows / concerts here over the years , so come on get it refurbed and people of preston can once again enjoy it !

Elaine Leeming Lowe:

Omg yes and made a much bigger venue and book much bigger artists! Been to some great concerts there in the last 50 years!

John Davies:

Demolished . Never was a great theatre but Preston needs a purpose built highly functional venue. Refurbishing this will never meet the necessary standards to be serviceable & properly functional meeting modern needs

Billys Sparks Partytime Martin:

More theatres desperately need locally so refurbish and split into smaller theatres or event areas and make it into an Arts quarter in Preston in and around the Harris and guildhall centre . Then build a proper exhibition hall/arena for much bigger events on the docks where we have better parking and more space

Philip Harrison:

As mentioned earlier, these things have a habitat of never happening once it’s pulled down.

Heather Westworth:

Refurbished it's a fabulous place x

Barbara Berto:

It’s probably more a question of what they can afford to do and if they demolished it they wouldn’t be able to replace it so I suppose they will have to refurbish and try to make use of it.It must cost a fortune to run ,

Andy Hooper:

Demolished and build a 5000 capacity venue. Brings people into the centre spending money rather than always going out in Manchester. Use pension money to invest in development.

Anna Watson:

Where would the money come from to build something similar?

Kelly Duxbury:

Refurbished absolutely

Peter Bones Wilson:

Just get it open again.

Margo Smith:

Demolished. It's been a white elephant since it was built

Alison Young:

Preston Guild only 6 years off!

Jilly Marie Jones:

It's outdated, an eyesore & requires dismantling asap. A blot on the landscape.

Kathryn Gardner:

Refurbish put events and shows on we have to go Blackpool, Manchester, Liverpool for shows, pantomimes events.

Scott Dixon:

Knock it down and build a bigger and better arena in place. Could build out over the road to that old pub and create a tunnel or something. Try to attract big acts to Preston and generate more business for local businesses around the area

Jenny Berrill:

Definitely refurbish.

Michael Coleman-Hill:

A potential budget of £50M - £100M is outrageous.

Brenda Gildert:

Start a petition save the guild hall

Gary Rogers:

If as previously reported it was built using the now dangerous aerated concrete then it would probably be less expensive to demolish and replace. My worry is that instead of replacing the venue with a much larger concert venue it would be replaced with flats when we need to have something Preston can be proud of and draw big performers to our city so we don’t have to travel to Manchester or Liverpool to enjoy big acts

Judith Ellison:

Council will do what they want anyway

Sylvia Inniss:

Refurbished

Simon Paul:

Costings needed. Historically refurbishments run way over projected costs though.

It is a real carbuncle of a place though. Flattening and restarting but avoiding modern styles. Blend it in.

Wendy Woodrow:

Refurbished.

Margaret Scrivens:

The Guild Hall should be restored and refurbished. It is criminal that the Hall has been allowed to deteriorate so much.

Kieren Spencer:

Demolished. It’s seen its day. It looks dated now.

Rosanka Pospolita:

Definitely refurbished!!!

Ron Parker:

Definitely demolished. Never was a nice theatre. Needs demolishing & funds, grants identified to build a modern accessible theatre.

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