Exploring Preston's Abandoned Guild Hall

In this video, we showcase our exploration of Preston's mothballed Guild Hall from Winter 2020. The leisure complex, featuring two performance venues, various bars and a shopping centre has been shuttered since 2019, only recently announced to be re-opening. It was left with everything still inside and working electricity.
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• Exploring an Abandoned...
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[@bloatedstoat]

Wow! Thanks for uploading this, what a shame. I have so many great memories of gigs at this place during the late 70s and early 80s from Sabbath with Halen as support, Hawkwind, Gillan, Lizzy, Whitesnake, Tangerine Dream, Judas Priest and so many others. Getting lashed in the bar downstairs beforehand, the fragrant whiff of joss sticks and Morocco's finest upstairs ... seems almost criminal that it's been abandoned.

[@Mattythebassist_]

Remember being surrounded by hundreds of scouts on St, George’s day in the main hall. Was scary to be surrounded by so many people in such an abstract shaped building.

[@frasermathers2287]

Absolutely lads you did not disappoint with this great video! It is despicable that such great venues are allowed to end up as a bun fight between various parties rather than giving the paying public the opportunity to have access too and patronize the facilities. Once again loved your ethical approach to not releasing this video too early thus helping to preserve and protect the facilities and its contents, which in turn says a lot about yourselves. Thanks lads.

[@Urbandoned]

Thank you! It was important to protect a building when it comes in a pristine condition. Wouldn't want blood (vandalism!) on our hands...

[@bally632]

Really nice to see it again,I sung there in the school choir when I was 10, and later saw band's playing there. Showaddywaddy,be bop deluxe, black Sabbath, van Galen, David Essex and more, great place for live music 😀

[@derrenleepoole]

Great explore guys. It absolutely boggles the mind that local councils complain about lack of funds, yet there are places like this, full functioning, burning electricity and other resources. Crazy.

[@LollipopLozzy454545]

You have to keep utilities connected or you lose the space really quickly to mould and decay- then you have to pump more money into it to get it functional again. It may seem like a waste, but it's cost saving in the long run.

[@derrenleepoole]

@@LollipopLozzy454545 aye, that’s a fair point well made.

[@jamescollins6085]

@@LollipopLozzy454545 It's also a great deterrent for scrappers, as the fear of electrocution should be enough to make them think twice.

[@willchalloner706]

Had my degree graduation ceremony there in 2009. Sad to see it like that.

[@SofiesSpectrum]

The first hall is the Guild Hall it's self, in my experience of doing various shows it was used for choir shows, band shows, concerts, graduations, apprenticeship shows, etc... The other venue is the Charter Theatre which is where I did shows there twice a year for about 9/10 years. Thank you for showing off the venue! It is hopefully going to be revived by the council to be used again in the next year or so! From what I am aware of from speaking to others, that alot of the equipment is now gone as the techies took their equipment back and sold off the rest of it to make their money back and all the money they were owed. The owner only bought the venue for £1 as he promised to put so much money into it. When I say it was literally open one day, and it was closed the next, it was heart breaking not only for the shows being put on, but for the rest of the community as a large scale venue. Thank you for showing off our beautiful venue in Preston, and hopefully it'll be back up and running in the next year or so!

[@DarkfireTV]

As a lampy seeing that tiger touch II sat in an unused building is upsetting, hopefully all that kit and the buildings get real use again soon!

[@Urbandoned]

Will be great to see it back in use again

[@gigteevee6118]

Preston seriously needs some of that mythical “levelling up” money to get this place back!

[@The_Original_KL]

Tories have ripped the country off, venue after venue closed.

[@callumclark4021]

I remember going to Bongos Bingo here back in 2018 with the Vengaboys as the support act 😂

[@johorrocks8927]

loved this, the building has got so much more to offer. I also used to love watching the snooker here on the tv, brilliant show case of a building with so much more to offer, should be up and running to be honest.

[@GPOTOM]

Excellent explore and good thinking leaving it a couple of years before publishing, these places need to be protected. Over many years of this hobby I’ve seen too many untouched abandoned places becoming public in newspapers, public web forums, social media, videos etc, only to be trashed and robbed in the following weeks. This is then followed by the inevitable ramping up of security by the authorities. Hopefully this particular building will be re-purposed and enjoyed by the public once again.

[@DEAD-DROP]

Is crazy whenever you find places left like this, feels like such a waste.. Is good that the space will see a new life. Great work guys!

[@tintinout38]

I remember the theatre watching shows there. Ground floor shops then changed to bars and restaurants which seem a good use of the space

[@Darkzero188]

Back in the 70s we used 2 call it top rank as it was used for disco,s as teenagers so many memories William temple school dance all nite brilliant music , times gone now it's just memories Michelle uk

[@LoKe1]

Watched Ronnie O’Sullivan (and others) playing snooker here Feb 2018

[@andrewoverland2884]

Stunning film. Always love the respectful way you treat the properties. Photos are always extremely professional.

[@Urbandoned]

Thank you for the kind words

[@zcps]

I remember going to a Kilo sale in Guild Hall in 2018, didn't realise it had closed how sad! Great video

[@sewciology22]

Thanks for this video. I have fond memories of receiving my degree at the Guild Hall back in 1999. I also watched the snooker there and @johnshuttleworth the comedian. 😊

[@PaulStClair-or3gj]

As a school-boy l sang in the school choir with many other schools and a full symphony orchestra who played the 'Planet Suite' which impressed me greatly. As a teen l sat in the front row and watched the 'Beatles' on their first UK tour. We lived close by to the Guild.

[@brimstone260]

Agreed as above, thanks for holding off showing this guys.

[@simonlb24]

Another fantastic video guys. I remember seeing Gary Numan here in March 2018 and was impressed by the venue. Many thanks for this. 👍

[@1UPWonders]

What a beautiful place, I’ll be glad to see it up and running again, especially given its history and connections with famous artists. Another excellent video, can’t wait for the next one!

[@mikemichaud5048]

great video guys, im glad you held off on showing it!

[@chaddamp2894]

wish i was able to film the heavy engineering and foundries and manufacturing processes i was lucky to have witnest,they are in my memory but unabled to be shared ...thanks for all you do for us sentimentals x

[@ciaranburke3243]

Amazing building glad to see its getting much needed attention well done guys for showing this 👍

[@TB-us7el]

and Busted... 7:13 LOL, the list of acts was pretty legendary...oh, and Busted 😜

[@Popspicker]

Yeah… didn’t even mention Paul Mc Cartney and Wings, Elton John,The Moody Blues

[@TB-us7el]

@@Popspicker That lot are good and everything, but are they as good as Busted 🤔

[@Popspicker]

@@TB-us7el Good point 😂😂

[@miffy9871]

I spotted an old disused theatre in Blackpool that would be worth checking out. Beautiful old architecture on the outside. A pity I didn’t write down the details.

[@cindygibbs1964]

I really enjoyed this explore!! Amazing at how good the condition of most everything there was in. And I was very surprised at how clean this place is! Not your usual explore...but it's nice to see you deviate from the norm.

[@paulguise698]

Hiya Alistair, My stomach always rolls when you go into a Hall or Hospital like this, I always think you're going to get caught and ask "to leave", its good that you show us just about everything without wasting time, things have to be explored, this is Choppy in Whitehaven, Cumbria, England

[@MrMansun95]

The complex has two performance venues, the Grand Hall which holds 2,034 people and the Charter Theatre which holds 780 people There is direct pedestrian access, via footbridge, from the adjacent Preston bus station and car park. Artists that have performed at the venue include Martha Argerich, Morrissey, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, The Jackson 5, Thin Lizzy, Busted and Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel among others. It also hosted the UK Snooker Championship for the years 1978 to 1997

[@SiDude69]

Great video. Love these sort of videos

[@janicecopeland9083]

Just finished watching all your videos from the beginning.

[@eddmorrell90]

With the abundance of alcohol and sound equipment! Sounds like a perfect excuse for a party lol. Great video!

[@OLIFAB]

Fantastic video as always! What an awesome place! 😁

[@Urbandoned]

Thanks :)

[@mikelangley5100]

WOW this is a clasic case of Abandonment I used to work in the stage buisness this is criminal

[@FrostyGaming8394]

Hi Alistar how are you doing mate? Wow an amazing video as always wow that's a massive hall its a real shame that it shut down for good in 2019 its surprising that they left everything inside the place and working electricity too its definitely fit for reopening again but not anymore as the silly council saying no but there using the place for their office but nothing else you have really edited this video professionally with the music in the background to fit some scenes this equipment could be sold for a lot of money if the place wasn't opening again which look very doubtful as people out there could use some of this equipment but sadly it isn't going to anytime soon keep up the great content as always Alistar and hope your having a good day so far 👍

[@cosmic4037]

Joseph and his technicolour dream coat production and coral snooker. I left 1991, but how can this not be used 24/7.

[@Pat14922]

I watched the snooker here in '83. It was a a great venue. Quite a few brass bands have played here too.

[@jonhunt2572]

WOW that was brilliant

[@Helmdep]

Saw some great bands here back in the 70's. Bowie twice, 10CC, Don McLean, Stealers Wheel. This is before the bigger venue's came along.

[@garethhughes6739]

That lighting console is showing its shutdown screen - you'd only see that if it was properly shut down by someone who knew that just turning off the power was not the way. If you didn't get it to that point, then it's reasonable to assume that it's just been sat there, waiting to be powered off, since the venue closed.

[@Fran_SG]

Very cool!!!!

[@davidelsbury2917]

In the second theatre those private viewing rooms are most likely "cry rooms" intended for parents with small children so they can feed or care for their kids while still keeping an eye on the performance

[@TB-us7el]

interesting, never heard of such things before.

[@ForgottenBuildings]

Interesting place, nice video!

[@boblloyd75]

Thanks for sharing that this great place isn't going the way of the wrecking ball

[@davidpilgrim5664]

Hopefully, it will be up and running again soon

[@insertgenericusernamehere2402]

Micheal Jackson and the Jackson 5,David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Morrisey and... Busted, dunno why but that busted inclusion nearly made me spit out my drink laughing 7:25

[@joewarren2602]

What a shame looks like a beautiful venue would love to play about with the lights and other tech in there put performances on again

[@TheHappyLoner]

Woah look at all the dust floating around 😲

[@PaulStables76]

PCC should be absolutely ashamed of themselves to be honest! They are just letting this building go to rot. Just like the Odeon Cinema. Please do something to save it, for all Prestonians.

[@buy.to.let.britain]

the council should never get involved with commercial ventures such as concert halls, retail blocks and cinemas. they are clueless.

[@xjessiluvsu]

ur telling me that i was one of the last performances in the hall? ts mad icl

[@fhwolthuis]

What a waste of resources. I wonder who's paying for the electric bill

[@nickthomas181]

It's going to reopen . I saw Runrig there in 2009.

[@matthewlawrenson3628]

The Guild Hall's condition is the least of its problems. Once they get the RAAC sorted out, they could reopen it within a couple of months - but the thing is, what would you put on there to make it pay its way? I remember the last few years of The Guild Hall's operation - the kind of acts they got in were people like Dennis Lacorriere (ex-lead singer of Dr. Hook). Roy Wood and Lulu. Famous in their day, yes, but not major crowd pullers. 2000 seats ain't gonna get you the BIG acts. I'd be surprised if the place was profitable for most of the 46 years it was in operation I think the thing that kept it going for most of those years was the Morrison's shop they had underneath it, but that closed in 1997 - and has since been filled in with concrete, as has the access to the bus station. The shops and bar / restaurants on the ground floor were never that succesful either, with most giving up after one lease period. The Guild Hall will never be a money spinner in a place like Preston, for the above reasons and many more. I think the very best they can hope for is break even or a small subsidised loss.

[@tamarahenderson5241]

Love

[@neilgh]

It was due to reopen in November but he council have said in the last week that there is RAAC in the roof so I'm not sure how much longer it will need to remain closed.

[@meepthirteen]

💫

[@lesleymcclune3637]

I remember seeing lindesvarne live hear

[@GracieRitchieobvssssss]

I whent dance in there and I used to watch pantomimes in there back in primary

[@michaelmather7352]

takes me back to 1972 Led Zeppelin wow.

[@xIDarkSideIx]

I've watched Wrestling, Snooker, and even Zeppelin play in here its a shame its now empty

[@Miss_Toots]

I'd love to know where this explorer is from....sounds from Yorkshire somewhere? Can anyone enlighten me?

[@derrenleepoole]

Since when is the Guild Hall abandoned? I live ten miles down the road and had no idea :)

[@emmabh2166]

Since about 2019/2020. Such a shame!

[@derrenleepoole]

@@emmabh2166it’s crazy. I’ve done street photography round there recently. It’s isn’t obvious it’s empty.

[@emmabh2166]

@@derrenleepoole it’s being used by businesses as far as I’m aware but it certainly isn’t open to the public. I’m only a few miles away myself in Leyland, my dad actually used to work there, way back when! I have fond memories of the blue room with a dancing fish on the wall 🙌🏼

[@georgepointer1127]

That cost a lot to ratepayersnot been in use for years

[@fwerf5084]

actually..... Medusa Deluxe brought me here .. 😅😅😅😅

[@mattyj6135]

how did you get in?

[@Buffalo31]

In 2020 the shopping hall was still open, even tho most of the businesses had closed the Harris library was using some of it. They must of just found an open door, as staff would've been there due to the lights being on.

[@andrewsumner9600]

May 2024 and still no news about it opening. Something too do with concrete cancer.

[@bayuajiekonugroho8927]

Kak ke Indonesia 🇮🇩 di kunjungi ke Indonesia saya orang Indonesia salam dari Indonesia 🇮🇩

[@bluleeach]

It’s a Follow Spot not a Projector..

[@DaveBeaven-tx2tp]

The Guild Hall was badly run by the Council for decades and handed the site over to Simon Rigby to sort out the problems. The council don’t mind private businessmen sorting out debts and decades of incompetence. They then take the property back into council ownership and then abandon it. Total rubbish run Labour Council. The Council allowed it to decline due to the proposed Tithebarn project. They are even heating an empty building. They have a cheek blaming Simon Rigby for what’s gone wrong with it.

[@markm-ci6rj]

As it says in the video it is not abandoned and due to reopen soon.

[@Richard-pe4cx]

WHAT A WASTE AND WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT OUR CHANGE OF HABITS AND CONSUMER DECLINE

[@BLzBob.7268]

This typifies how Preston is run. Pretends to be a City, but has no interest in regenerating its magnificent theatre. The town is flooded with school kids at uni. This seems to be the only interest to the council. That, and milking any business to death for business rates. Its a disgrace. So who is paying for the heating and lighting in the Guildhall whilst it's neglected? Tax payers? Aren't they entitled to have this issue resolved? Or are you waiting for another outside 'investor' to take responsibility of our iconic building, and let our Council walk away, again, from its responsibility to maintain our pride. Honestly, this makes us a laughing stock compared to other 'Cities'. You could at least let the hordes of street sleepers in one of the back rooms, and get that shameful sight off the main shopping street.

[@Lancashire_Lass_Heidi]

Still used for private filming and counting votes/elections. Was supposed to reopen but it's never materialised

[@squigmcguigan8965]

Why the mock surprise? Holy shit etc. What did you expect to find in a Mothballed venue? It's not abandoned. It truth. It should be torn down. It was a White Elephant from the start. It should never gave been built. In its last 30yrs it could only attract shitty tribute acts. If the Guild hall ever had a day. That day is long gone! As for the rest of Preston Town centre. It's rotten to the coar! Empty abandoned fine Civic buildings. Let to rot by the useless leftwing Preston town council. Note I refuse to refer to Preston. As a City which it is not.

[@tonycherry896]

Your offensive language makes this video unwatchable.

[@Urbandoned]

Merry Christmas Tony

[@sammccormick9109]

I had my graduation here in 2015!!!