Restoration of King's Lynn Guildhall theatre to start on Monday
It's after local decision-makers appointed the main contractor for this project, that will be finished by 2028
Work to restore King's Lynn's Guildhall theatre is getting underway from Monday.
It's after local decision-makers appointed the main contractor for this project, (Messenger BCR Group).
The main work will get underway on 24th November and continue through to the site's reopening in 2028.
The refurbishment of the St George's, which has links to Shakespeare, is set to cost over £30 million.
Over the first few months, scaffolding will be erected around the building with a temporary roof to make it weather-tight and to allow critical repairs to then start on the historic roof.
Led by the Borough Council, the project is in partnership with King’s Lynn Neighbourhood Board, Historic England and Norfolk Museum Service, in collaboration with the National Trust who own the freehold of part of the Guildhall site.
Historic England has given support with a Heritage at Risk Capital Fund grant of over £720,000 towards the roof restoration.
King's Lynn's St George's Guildhall is thought to have hosted performances by Shakespeare in 1592 or 1593.
"Will bring profound opportunities"
Cllr Simon Ring, the Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet member for Business, said:
“This is the big announcement we have been working hard towards with our partners, and I can’t wait to see the scaffolding rise up around the building, heralding the start of the main hands-on renovation.
"Our exciting vision for this beloved and unique venue is a year-round local, regional and international destination for heritage, arts, creativity and theatre, which will bring profound opportunities to all our residents, young people, visitors, economy and the creative scene.
"During this main works phase alone, it will create 55 jobs, opportunities for West Norfolk sub-contractors, new apprenticeships, skills days for college students, heritage skills workshops, work experience, training for ex-service personnel, and opportunities for local school children to be part of the story.
"It will bring new jobs, improved facilities, training"
Zach Stanford, project champion on King’s Lynn Neighbourhood Board, which is investing more than £10m of Government Town Deal funding in St George’s, said:
“Preserving the past and creating an exciting future, the Guildhall and Creative Hub will deliver some really unique opportunities for our community.
"It will bring new jobs, improved facilities, training and education activities, enhancement to green space, new office and workspaces for creative industries and substantial uplifts in visitor footfall to the town and wider region.
It’s really exciting to see the main contractor starting on site. I would like to thank everyone who has got us to this milestone and look forward to receiving updates as the work gets underway.”
"It will help to unlock new opportunities for King’s Lynn"
Tony Calladine, East of England Regional Director, Historic England, said:
“It’s wonderful to see work beginning on the restoration of St George’s Guildhall, a place of exceptional cultural and historic importance.
This project will do more than safeguard the fabric of a much-loved landmark: it will help to unlock new opportunities for King’s Lynn, strengthening local pride, creativity and economic growth.
By investing in heritage at the heart of our towns, we’re helping to create distinctive, thriving places where people want to live, work and visit.”
The National Trust have been providing specialist advice and expertise.
"One of the oldest working theatres in the UK"
The National Trust’s General Manager, Donna Baldwin, said:
"We are pleased that the Council has appointed Messenger BCR as the main contractor for the works to St George's Guildhall. We know they have the experience needed, as we recently worked with them at Oxburgh Hall to secure the future of another Norfolk landmark.
St George’s Guildhall is one of the oldest working theatres in the UK and this announcement marks another milestone in the project to regenerate this medieval complex. Due to the historical significance of these buildings, it's important that this work is carried out sensitively, and we will continue to work with the Council offering advice and specialist support as the project progresses."
A charity has been founded to run the site in the long term and the Chair of the Charity is Baroness Evans of Bowes Park. She welcomed the appointment of the contractor:
“This is a critical step forward in the regeneration of the site to make it a must visit venue benefitting King's Lynn and West Norfolk. We are excited to be part of the team which will deliver a vibrant future for St George's Guildhall and creative hub.”
"It is a privilege to play a part in safeguarding this unique landmark"
Paul Gibbons, Group Managing Director of Messenger BCR, said:
“We are delighted to have been appointed as main contractor for the regeneration of St George’s Guildhall, a project of exceptional cultural and historical significance.
"Messenger BCR Group has a long-established track record in the sensitive restoration of heritage buildings, and it is a privilege to play a part in safeguarding this unique landmark for future generations.
"We look forward to working closely with the Borough Council and project partners to bring new life and purpose to this extraordinary venue at the heart of King’s Lynn.”