A Lancashire MP has called on central government to step in and help end the “limbo” regarding Preston Guild Hall.

Maya Ellis, MP for the Ribble Valley, has written an open letter to Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, urging her to “explore any support the government could offer to help Preston regain a major venue.”

Last month, Preston City 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’.

Now Mrs Ellis is hoping she can help secure some publicly-funded help towards the project, describing Preston as being “in an opportune position to be the next big growth city in the UK.”

MP Maya Ellis has stepped into the Guild Hall debate | submit/Google

placeholder image — MP Maya Ellis has stepped into the Guild Hall debate | submit/Google

The letter

Her letter said: “Although just outside my constituency, the hall was a popular destination for my constituents in Ribble Valley from its onening in 1973 until closing its doors in 2010. This has left the city and surrounding towns and villages without a large-scale venue for the past seven years, forcing those who want to go to see live music and other entertainment to travel out of the area.

“Preston City Council has confirmed it will make a decision on the future of the Guild Hall within the next 12 months but it's likely that funding between £60m and £100m will be needed to replace it with a modern concert venue and exhibition centre.

“An incredible amount of investment has gone into Preston over the past few years, from the £45.8m Animate leisure complex that has created 300 full-time jobs and boosted visitor numbers to the £19m refurbishment of the Harris Museum, the creation of the Vault Youth Zone and the regeneration of Preston Station Quarter.

“An ongoing bid to attract more government departments to take up office space demonstrates the clear ambition of the city, which is just a two-hour 11-minute train journey from London.

“Preston is in an opportune position to be the next big growth city in the UK with its low cost of living combined with high connectivity making it incredibly attractive to investors. However, as you know, a vital element of investible areas is culture if we are to attract a workforce that wants to live, work and socialise in the city.

“A proper events venue is at the core of what Preston needs to enable growth and prosperity. The Preston Guild Hall site holds fond memories for countless residents of Lancashire. Providing a new venue would have a knock-an effect on surrounding businesses, from restaurants and bars to hotels.”

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