Add your support to Renaissance plans to renovate and restore the Guildhall!
Today, The Guildhall Trust launches their ‘It’s Time to Make it Happen’ campaign, calling for the public and stakeholders to get behind their ambitious plans to renovate and restore the much-loved and iconic Portsmouth Guildhall for future generations.
Seeking as many people as possible to add their name to a growing list of supporters, The Guildhall Trust intends to demonstrate to potential funders and sponsors the passion within the city for the venue and its future and that investment is now very much needed.
Having stood proudly in the heart of the city for 128 years, welcoming some of the world’s finest artists and delighting millions, the Guildhall has seen very little investment since it was rebuilt and re-opened in 1959 having been gutted during the Blitz in 1941.
Regular feedback from users of the venue and the community states:
- People need more comfortable seats with more leg room
- People need air conditioning
- People need better bar and catering facilities
- People need better toilet facilities
- People want the best acts to come to Portsmouth
- People want a venue the city can be proud of
The Guildhall Trust’s Renaissance plans for the venue address these issues and their vision to become one of the country’s leading cultural organisations, placing the community at the centre of everything it does to inspire, entertain and transform lives.
Creating a venue that serves the community and provides the best possible experiences and facilities for customers, performers, their management and corporate clients will ensure the Guildhall becomes fully sustainable as one of the best event and cultural venues in the UK.
The full Renaissance programme of renovation and restoration will be completed in several phases over the coming years:
Project 1 – Improve customer facilities and create dynamic social spaces:
- Create new bar facilities
- Renovate toilet facilities
- Improve ground floor access by widening the foyers
- Renovate the tired interior of the heritage building
- Develop exhibition and gallery spaces
- Improve the usability and flexibility of the first floor space
- Build a stunning side extension that will offer exciting new restaurant, bar and café facilities in a major asset for Guildhall Square.
Project 2 – Improve the Concert Hall and Backstage areas:
- Provide better seating with more leg room and an air cooling system
- Improve the flexibility of the Concert Hall so the space can be used more effectively
- Modernise the technical and backstage areas
The Guildhall Trust believes that the show of support will make a significant difference as they approach multiple sources of funding and finance for the Renaissance project.
CEO for The Guildhall Trust, Andy Grays said, “Following the completion of our new Guildhall Studio space last year we are keen to push forward with the next phase of the Renaissance of the Guildhall. Being able to demonstrate to funders that the public are passionate about their Guildhall and its future can be highly influential when funding decisions are being made. Other cities including Bristol, Liverpool and Southampton have all received significant cultural investment in recent years and with your support we want to secure the same for Portsmouth”.
Add your support and receive updates on the progress of the Renaissance of the Guildhall.
#TimeToMakeItHappen
#SupportYourGuildhall