Preston City Council issue statement on the future of Guild Hall after overwhelming public support
Preston City Council have provided a further update on the future of Guild Hall.
Last week the council announced it will spend the next 12 months establishing whether it is possible to secure the estimated £60m-£100m in funding required to rebuild the landmark attraction, which opened back in 1973.
The authority’s deputy leader, Martyn Rawlinson, said that creating a 21st-century incarnation of the hall as a “multi-functional, modern concert and conference/exhibition centre” would be “the best outcome” for the city.
However, because of the eye-watering price tag that comes with that option, he also committed to costing the renovations needed to enable the existing building to reopen safely, after its main performance spaces were found to contain so-called ‘crumbling concrete’.
Providing an update on the current situation, Councillor Hindle, Cabinet Member for Arts and Culture said: “The groundswell of public support over the course of a few short days, shows just how important the Guild Hall is to the city.
“Having a meaningful, flexible, modern conferencing space that can be utilised for all sorts of events from big conferences to community gatherings, is so important for a modern city and its residents.”
He added: “The Guild Lounge continues to establish itself as a vital part of Preston's cultural landscape and we have provided additional funding this year for an extended programme of events which is helping to fill the void left by the bigger Guild Hall venues that are currently out of action. Welcoming spaces where people can gather to connect and be inspired is important and we hope to build on this in the future."
Councillor Rawlinson added: “We support BID Preston's letter to Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to provide much needed national government backing and investment into Preston's arts and culture sector and welcome the wider campaign support calling for the return of a major entertainment venue in the city.
“We have already engaged through the political channels available to us to lobby further for the Guild Hall and more arts funding for the city.
"We are committed to finding a solution for the Guild Hall and are working with specialist consultants on a detailed business case.”
The venue which has played host to snooker greats and music legends such as David Bowie and Led Zeppelin, shut four years ago after Preston City Council revoked the tenancy agreement it had with the late property tycoon Simon Rigby.