What are we doing?
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
- improvements to the acoustics in the main hall
- improved Wi-Fi
- an upgraded kitchen
- upgraded internal lifts
- ramps installed 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.
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 for listed building consent was granted in May 2023 and we have now provisionally awarded the contract to TEC Construction, conditional upon agreeing a contract price within budget.
Work is expected to start late Spring/Summer 2024 and is expected to take around 12 months to complete once work starts on site. The Guildhall will be closed to the public during this time.
How much will this cost?
The project will cost in the region of £3.9m and is funded by the Future High Streets Fund.
Exterior restoration
A separate programme of restoration for the building’s exterior is ongoing to clean and repair the effects of decades of pollution and salty sea air, which has damaged stonework and detailing.
The first two phases of restoration, focussing on the northern Royal Parade-facing side and the western tower, are now complete.
Work is progressing on the front elevation with repairs to the wave-shaped awning over the front doors as well as stonework repairs and essential roof repairs to address historic leaks.
The work – which started at the end of 2022 – is costing £750,000 and is funded through the Council’s corporate estate budget.
