Preston City Council Explores Future for The Guild Hall

Preston City Council is pleased to announce the opening of The Guild Lounge, formerly the Guild Hall Foyer in The Guild Hall, Preston.

This revitalised venue aims to fill the void left by The Guild Hall's closure and will enhance the local entertainment scene with a diverse events programme running from October 2024 through March 2025.

Making the change from a bar space to a studio theatre, 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 will be managed in-house by the Preston City Council's Cultural Team who have created the programme with input from theatre professionals, ensuring a blend of high-quality performances and a platform for local talent.

Councillor Martyn Rawlinson, Cabinet Member for Resources and Deputy Leader of Preston City Council said:

"The opening of The Guild Lounge is 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.

"We are committed to supporting the arts and listening to the needs of the community, and The Guild Lounge is a testament to that dedication. We look forward to welcoming everyone to this exciting new chapter for Preston."

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 offer of festive family shows in December to get everyone into the Christmas spirit.

The venue's seating capacity of 350 makes it an intimate, yet adaptable space for a variety of performance styles, fostering a closer connection between artists and audiences.

Preston City Council's efforts to open this venue reflect a broader strategy to revitalise The Guild Hall and its surrounding areas and is actively working with community partners to explore the use of additional spaces in The Guild Hall to create a shared storage and activity centre. This is in response to a long-term need from community partners such as Preston Caribbean Carnival, Preston City Mela, Windrush CIC and Let's Grow Preston for access to space to store large items created for their annual events, to support their reuse, and provide space to engage with the community.

Early discussions are underway with these community groups, and further exploration is needed regarding the suitability of the space, access and costs.

Chris Davies, Chair of Preston City Mela, commented:

"The Guild Hall presents a unique opportunity for us to have a dedicated space that not only preserves the large scale art and community projects we create each year at Preston City Mela but also provides a vibrant hub for ongoing community engagement and creativity." 

Preston City Council have been developing a plan to respond to the challenges that RAAC presents for the future of The Guild Hall.

Tickets for the upcoming events will go on sale in the coming months.

Stay tuned for further announcements and prepare to rediscover the joy of live entertainment at The Guild Lounge.

Additional Information

Preston City Council actively applies and prioritises the principles of Community Wealth Building wherever applicable and appropriate. Community Wealth Building is an approach which aims to ensure the economic system builds wealth and prosperity for everyone.

About The Guild Hall

The Guild Hall in Preston is a historic venue known for its rich heritage and contribution to the local arts and entertainment scene.

The reopening of The Guild Lounge marks a new chapter in its storied history, offering a diverse programme of events and supporting local artists and communities.

Please view a detailed list of the frequently asked questions on the Guild Hall (FAQs).