Published: Wednesday, 21st July 2021
Published on behalf of Vision King's Lynn.
A vision for St George’s Guildhall will be developed over the coming months with a number of partners set to work together to outline a shared ambition for the much-loved theatre.
It is envisaged that the Guildhall - the country’s oldest working theatre – will play an important role in the future of King’s Lynn, enhancing the town’s cultural offer.
And, to achieve this, a workshop will shortly take place bringing together a range of invited partners – including from the creative and arts, education, and business sectors – who will collaborate to come up with a coherent vision for the whole complex. The workshop will build on insight gained from the community during the creative hub consultation and separate engagement with stakeholders on the Guildhall theatre both in 2019.
Following on from this, the Town Deal Board will, working closely with partners, produce a detailed business case and apply for match funding to help the vision to become reality.
The work is being informed by the Guildhall and Creative Hub Stakeholder Community Group, a sub-group of the Town Deal Board that has been established to bring together potential users and those with an interest in creative industries. The Group is chaired by Michael Baldwin who said:
“St George’s Guildhall is a hugely important historical and cultural asset in King’s Lynn and we are absolutely committed to upgrading and restoring it, enhancing its offer in the town.
“But we want to do this in collaboration. We want to come up with a single, coherent, and impactful vision that will allow the Guildhall to maximise its role in the town, creating positive benefits culturally, historically, and socially for the community.”
A key partner involved in the development of the vision is Shakespeare’s Guildhall Trust. The Trust provides a forum for Guildhall users and so several representatives are members of the Guildhall and Creative Hub Stakeholder Community Group.
Michael Baldwin said: “Shakespeare’s Guildhall Trust has an important role to play in shaping a long-term plan for the Guildhall, and brings knowledge, insight, and passion for the venue.
“We are very pleased to be working together, along with other interested partners, as one voice to set out a vision for the Guildhall.
“The Town Deal Board, the sub-group, the borough council, and the Trust all have a shared commitment to the Guildhall and to securing its future as a sustainable, inclusive, and accessible venue for King’s Lynn.”
Local people will also be able to share their views as public consultation will take place over the coming year. In the meantime, anyone wishing to add comments or ideas can do so via the Vision King’s Lynn website: Contact – Vision King's Lynn (visionkingslynn.co.uk)