Part of Guild Hall to reopen for gigs

The venue will host live music, fringe theatre productions and a regular comedy club

A 350-seat entertainment venue is to open in part of Preston's Guild Hall, the council has said.

The building has been closed since 2019 after falling into administration and was set to reopen last year but that was delayed by the discovery of Raac.

The crumbling concrete material was found in roof panels in the Guild Hall and Charter Theatre.

Preston City Council said the Guild Lounge - which was formerly the foyer - will have events running from October.

Queen and Bowie

The venue will be managed in-house by Preston City Council's cultural team and will host well-known artists, classical music concerts and fringe theatre productions as well as stage a regular comedy club.

Councillor Martyn Rawlinson, cabinet member for resources and deputy leader of the city council, said it was a "momentous occasion" for Preston.

"This venue not only breathes new life into our city's entertainment offer but also provides a space for local artists and performers."

He said the authority was "committed to supporting the arts" and listening to the "needs of the community".

The Guild Hall and Charter Theatre opened in 1973.

It hosted major snooker events and the likes of Queen and David Bowie performed there before it was shut in May 2019.

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