Frequently Asked Questions - Guild Hall Preston
When will the Guild Hall be open to the public?
An opening date for The Guild Hall cannot be confirmed at this present time due to ongoing works to remove RAAC from the roof of the building which is affecting the Grand Hall and the Charter Theatre.
However, Preston City Council is thrilled to announce the opening of The Guild Lounge, formerly known as the Guild Hall Foyer, a newly developed space within The Guild Hall, Preston. Making the change from a bar to a studio theatre, this revitalised venue aims to fill the void left by The Guild Hall's closure and promises to enhance the local entertainment scene with a diverse and dynamic programme running from October 2024 through March 2025.
Where can I find a copy of the Winter events programme?
A full list of events happening at The Guild Lounge can be seen on our The Guild Lounge events list.
How and where can I purchase tickets?
To view all of the available performances to book, see Guild Hall Tickets.
Who will run the Guild Lounge venue?
Preston City Council's in-house Culture team are in charge of running the Winter events programme with assistance from the local arts community and theatre professionals.
Is the building safe to open?
The Guild Lounge and ground floor units are not affected by the RAAC in the roof of the building and is completely safe to open to the public.
The Guild Lounge is also unaffected by the ongoing works in the rest of the building to treat the areas affected by RAAC roof material.
Will local talent be able to perform and get involved in the winter programme at The Guild Lounge?
The city already supports a vibrant local music scene but The Guild Lounge will offer a larger capacity studio theatre which is not currently catered for in the city. This will include a regular local talent programme and we will be contacting the arts community with more information in the coming weeks.
The city council is committed to supporting the arts and listening to the needs of the community.
Has the arts community in Preston been consulted in the reopening of the Guild Hall Foyer, now the called The Guild Lounge?
The community arts scene in Preston has been very vocal about what they want to see happen at the Guild Hall and the need for it to be open as a viable cultural and arts space. We are working towards this, by reopening The Guild Lounge to try and fill that gap in the city.
Who will be the operating manager for the Guild Hall?
This has not yet been decided and there is no current deal on the table. The Council is currently looking at a variety of options.
Are there any job opportunities at the Guild Lounge and if so where can I apply?
Keep checking the Preston City Council job pages on Preston City Councils website for any new opportunities.
Where can I find what's on at The Guild Lounge?
Preston residents and visitors can look forward to an array of exciting events, with a detailed schedule to be released in August.
The Guild Lounge will operate weekly from Thursday to Saturday, with additional events programmed during school half-term weeks, providing entertainment options for all ages. There will also be a two week programme of festive family events in December.
What sort of events will be staged there?
The Guild Lounge will host a variety of events, including live music performances from well-known artists, classical music concerts, fringe theatre productions, a regular comedy club, family-friendly entertainment, festive shows, community performances, and unique one-off events.
The venue's programming has been curated by an experienced team from the industry, ensuring a blend of high-quality performances and a platform for local talent.
How can I get in touch about putting on an event at the Guild Lounge?
Please direct all enquiries to guildhallenquires@preston.gov.uk where one of the team will be happy to help, or complete our online contact us form.
How much is it going to cost to get the full building refurbished and ready to open?
Works are ongoing to the building including improvements to the fire safety system, the removal of asbestos, new upholstery and improvements to the water tanks and piping system throughout the building.
Is the opening of the Guild Lounge being paid for by taxpayers?
The work required to open the venue for the Winter programme is being funded by the Cultural Recovery Fund, a pot of money awarded to Preston City Council as part of Covid recovery and held in reserve for when the Guild Hall reopened, specifically for this purpose.
It will not be paid for by people's Council tax payments.
Where is the Council going to get the money from for the repairs and to reopen the building?
There will be opportunities for strategic conversations with major funders to generate key support in the future.
The Council's current priority to fix the current issues surrounding the RAAC to enable the building to open fully again safely.
The Council understands the significance of the Guild Hall. It is an important part of the city's economy and a key part of the cultural and entertainment which is on offer.
The Council will explore all options to ensure a viable and sustainable bright future for the building.
Will the walkway connecting to the bus station be open again?
There are no plans to initially reopen the covered walk-way but it will be considered as part of the overall opening plans, costs and the viability of the building.
Will there be disabled access into the Guild Lounge?
Yes the venue is fully accessible by wheelchair via a lift to the first floor.
Will Level remain in the building?
Level remains outside of the Council's control and is run by a private operator.
For further enquiries, please email guildhallenquiries@preston.gov.uk or complete our online contact us form.