Member Article

Big plans for Preston Guildhall following acquisition by local businessman

A new era is beginning for Preston’s Guild Hall, now acquired by Lancashire entrepreneur Simon Rigby, according to its former owner, the City Council.

The authority declares that the deal “guarantees the future” of the venue, with an immediate one million pound cash injection. Mr Rigby is also setting up a £250,000 trust fund to support arts and culture in the city.

The Guild Hall, an entertainment complex hosting a variety of shows, productions, conferences and corporate events, was built by the council and opened in 1973.

It has been under the council’s ownership ever since, and has been operating with an annual subsidy of £1million from taxpayers.

In a statement, the council affirms that, as it has to save over £3.6m a year by 2017/18, “without Simon Rigby’s intervention, Preston Guild Hall would have closed on 31st March 2015.

“Now the Guild Hall is set for major investment and a renaissance as Lancashire’s premier entertainment venue. This includes a new Italian restaurant run by Simon’s award winning “Villa” chain of restaurants.

Simon Rigby, who was born and grew up near Preston, is involved with several businesses in the area. They include:

The Villa Group, a £40 million turnover business which includes The Villa Wrea Green, The Villa Italian, The Villa Express, The Villa at North End and opening next year The Villa Levens. Preston Guild Hall will form part of The Villa Group.

Greengen Group, a £20 million turnover group which includes energy brokers LG Energy Group, green energy generation company Farmgen, Solargen Plus and the Kirk Group which specialises in global energy storage.

Safehands Group, which provides child, domiciliary, respite and care in the community business, and has a turnover exceeding £10 million.

R-Group, a commercial and residential property company with £75 million of properties including 2,500 acres of farms.

Councillor Peter Rankin, Leader of Preston City Council, said: “This is a fantastic deal for Preston and a fantastic deal for taxpayers.

“Over one million pounds is being invested in the Guild Hall. This will breathe new life into the venue with a beautiful new restaurant, a striking and welcoming front entrance and upgraded facilities for audiences and performers.

“Preston Guild Hall is set to become Lancashire’s premier entertainment venue. The sale will also free up to one million pounds of tax-payers money that, in these times of austerity, will be used to help off-set cuts to vital public services such as street cleaning, Preston’s Parks and Leisure Centres.

“Believe me, the scale of such cuts is unprecedented, so the deal to save the Guild Hall cannot be under-estimated and is of immense importance to Preston.

“For over forty years, Preston Guild Hall has wowed audiences and hosted great performances. Well, thanks to this deal with Simon, the show will go on and we wish him all the very best for the future”.

Simon Rigby added: “My heart’s in Preston. I’m keen for the city to do well and that’s why I’m investing in Preston Guild Hall. There is a tremendous opportunity here. The city is on the up and the Guild Hall is very much part of that.

“Our offer will be second to none. First-class food and first-class entertainment, all at a price people can afford. We aim to be Lancashire’s premier entertainment venue and the whole team here is focused on that; giving customers what they want, treating them well and above all making sure they have a great time when they are here.

“To me, the Guild Hall is much more than a business or an entertainment complex: it’s a hub for community, creativity, spirit and enterprise. I want to grow and nurture this; to see the arts and culture flourish in Preston. The trust fund I’m establishing will tap into Preston’s diverse and exciting cultural mix and take it to the next level.

“Preston has so much potential in so many ways. I’m delighted to be part of it and to play my part in helping Preston to thrive economically, culturally and socially”.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .