About

Gloucester’s historic Guildhall is a distinctive venue for meetings, entertainment and corporate events. It was originally built in 1890 and opened in 1892 on the site formerly occupied by Sir Thomas Rich’s Blue Coat School. On the ground floor it housed offices for the town clerk, accountant, surveyor and other officials. With council chambers, committee rooms, the Mayor’s parlour and a public hall on the first floor. The Mayor’s Ball was held each year in what is now the theatre and remained in use for council meetings and as the Chief Executives’ offices until 1985.

A large scale refurbishment went ahead between 1985 and 1988, turning the place into a lively venue, and Gloucester Guildhall has been entertaining, educating and invigorating the area ever since. Gloucester Guildhall is a very busy place offering live shows, concerts, film screenings, conferences, exhibitions, comedy nights, cabaret, theatre, celebrity appearances, club nights, theme nights and lots more.

20 years on and the Guildhall has a well-earned reputation as ‘The County’s Liveliest Venue’. It has played host to some of the finest names on the national music circuit including Radiohead, Muse, Primal Scream, The Subways, Lily Allen, Pete Doherty, Ash and many more. As well as that, some household comedians including Frankie Boyle, Andy Parsons, Dara O’Brien and Jeremy Hardy have been through the doors. More recently the Guildhall has introduced ‘Speakers’ nights where public figures such as Germaine Greer, Tony Benn MP, Peter Hook, Sir David Frost, Ann Widdecombe MP and Alexei Sayle have visited the Guildhall.
In January 2010 the Guildhall won an award for ‘Putting Gloucester On The Map’, largely thanks to an increased profile in both local and national media recognising the consistency of quality events, and it’s increasingly broad and impressive programme will see the venue continue this for years to come.