Guildhall will become venue for big events
Chichester's ancient Guildhall – built in 1269 – is expected to become a popular venue for events including music recitals and art exhibitions in coming years, following a repair project due for completion this month.
Cllr Nick Thomas, council portfolio holder for culture and sport, said the building, in Priory Park, would be available for hire by outside organisations.
Until now there had been only limited marketing as the scheme had not yet reached full completion.
Once it was finished, and charges agreed and approved, marketing for the venue would start.
"Although there has been limited marketing for the hire of the Guildhall, there has already been much interest from external organisations and requests for further information on hiring the venue," said Cllr Thomas, who was responding to a question at a district council meeting.
"There have also been many requests to view the building with the intention of hiring it from summer 2009 onwards.
"This has included interest from various participants for the Chichester Festivities, local schools, colleges and universities and art and music organisations.
"In addition, five hire bookings and two provisional bookings have already been made for 2009 and 2010.
"As Chichester District Museum regularly uses the Guildhall as a venue for its own activities, all hiring by external organisations is permitted only around these in-house activities."
Hire charges were yet to be approved on submission of a report by the district museum.
But it was intended the charges be broken down into three categories – hire of the building (including use of electricity), use of the building's electricity supply for events in the park and hire of the building for wedding photography.
There would also be a discounted rate, applied for registered charities which submitted an application to hire the Guildhall.
Further details of the hire charges would be released once approval had been received.
Cllr Thomas said that as the Guildhall building was Grade I listed, and a scheduled ancient monument, all applications would be thoroughly evaluated prior to any hire booking being accepted to ensure full compliance with all the terms and conditions.
"This is simply to ensure the safety of the building itself and the museum artefacts on display within the building and to show consideration for the residents living close to the venue," he added.
"Much local support and interest has been shown for the Guildhall becoming a hire venue and it is therefore anticipated that it will become a popular venue within Chichester over the coming years."
n Early in the 19th century, the Guildhall was used for the trial of the mystic poet and artist William Blake – author of Jerusalem. He was accused of treason – for forcibly ejecting a drunken soldier from the garden of his house at Felpham.
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