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Guildhall

What we are doing to the Guildhall

We want this landmark building to play a part in bringing more people into the city centre.

This project is a restoration, reinvention and reactivation of a building described by Historic England as a rare and unusually rich example of an unaltered `Festival of Britain' interior.

The upgrade to the grade II listed building is expected to include:

  • new toilets
  • an updated sound and lighting system
  • improved Wi-Fi
  • conference rooms will be refurbished to modern standards but sympathetic to the building’s history
  • a commercial kitchen
  • ramps installed and the lifts refurbished to make the building more accessible.

Why are we doing this?

We want the Guildhall to be a place for bands and events again. It used to draw big crowds for performers such as Queen and David Bowie.

Investing and upgrading the systems will help this building play a bigger role in the city centre and in the lives of Plymouth people who will enjoy a new era of entertainment.

Updating conference facilities will also attract more people to the city centre – spending money in nearby cafes and shops.

It’s a hugely important building. The Guildhall, including Great Hall, Assize Courts and former City Treasury was built in the 1870s but reduced to a shell during the Blitz. They survived the threat of demolition by one single Council vote in 1951 and became a focus of Plymouth's rebuilding. It was one of the few damaged buildings to be restored rather than rebuilt.

How long will the work take?

A planning application was submitted in March 2023. If all goes according to plan, work is expected to start towards the end of 2023. The project is expected to take 12 months to complete once work starts on site and the Guildhall will be closed to the public during this period.

How much will this cost?

The project will cost £3.9m comprising £2.45m which has been allocated in the Council’s capital budget and £1,539,873 from the Future High Streets fund.