The first phase of the restoration of Preston's Guild Hall has been approved. The Guild Hall is now operated by Simon Rigby's hotel and hospitality-based Villa Group who are set to invest £1million in the venue. The Villa group is on a mission to make Preston Guild Hall a busy and cultural hub via ‘an eclectic mix of entertainment, education and eating’. Entertainment includes conference and meeting facilities.

Work will be starting shortly on a new entrance, a new atrium to cover the first-floor balcony, new cafes and meeting areas plus an overall upgrade of the Guild Hall’s technology.

Preston Guild Hall was built in 1972-73 to the designs of Scottish architects Robert Matthew and Stirratt Johnson-Marshall in the new ‘Brutalist’ style complementing Preston's Grade-listed bus station alongside.

Details: www.guildhall.thevilla.co.uk