Gloucester Guildhall

Coordinates: 51°51′53″N 2°14′48″W / 51.8646°N 2.2468°W / 51.8646; -2.2468
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Gloucester Guildhall
Gloucester Guildhall
LocationEastgate Street, Gloucester, Gloucestershire
Coordinates51°51′53″N 2°14′48″W / 51.8646°N 2.2468°W / 51.8646; -2.2468
Built1892
ArchitectGeorge H. Hunt
Architectural style(s)French Renaissance style
Listed Building – Grade II
Designated12 March 1973
Reference no.1271663
Gloucester Guildhall is located in Gloucestershire
Gloucester Guildhall
Location of Gloucester Guildhall in Gloucestershire

Gloucester Guildhall is a former municipal building in Eastgate Street, Gloucester, which is now used as an arts and theatre venue. It is a Grade II listed building.[1]

History

The original town hall, known as "the Tolsey" meaning "town hall", was a 15th-century building located on the corner of Westgate Street and Southgate Street.

neo-classical style in 1751 but was inadequate for the needs of civic leaders by the late 19th century.[2]

The site chosen for the new building had previously been occupied by Sir Thomas Rich's house, the initial home of Sir Thomas Rich's School,[3] but had become vacant when the school moved to the site of the former Crypt School in Barton Street in 1889.[4]

The new building, which was designed by George H. Hunt in the

Sir Thomas Bell, a former mayor of Gloucester.[5]

King Edward VII visited the guildhall on 23 June 1909[6] before departing for the Royal Agricultural Show at the Oxlease Showground on Alney Island.[7] The guildhall also received a visit by the Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by Duke of Edinburgh, to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the granting of the city's charter by King Henry II, on 3 May 1955.[8][9]

For much of the 20th century the guildhall was the meeting place of the county borough of Gloucester; it continued to be the local seat of government following the formation of the enlarged Gloucester City Council in 1974.[10] However, in 1985 the council decided to move their meeting place to a converted warehouse at Gloucester Docks.[2]

The ground floor was converted into offices in 1987; a lease on the floor was taken by a branch of

UK Singles Chart,[13] in the main hall one night in 1990.[14]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Historic England. "Guildhall, Gloucester (1271663)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  2. ^ a b c Herbert, N M (1988). "'Gloucester: Public buildings', in A History of the County of Gloucester: Volume 4, the City of Gloucester". London: British History Online. pp. 248–251. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  3. ^ "About". Gloucester Guildhall. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  4. ^ Herbert, N M (1988). "'Gloucester: Education', in A History of the County of Gloucester: Volume 4, the City of Gloucester". London: British History Online. pp. 335–350. Archived from the original on 24 August 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  5. ^ Herbert, N M (1988). "'Gloucester: Arms, seals, insignia and plate', in A History of the County of Gloucester: Volume 4, the City of Gloucester". London: British History Online. pp. 368–371. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  6. .
  7. ^ "More photos of Gloucester in the 1900s". Visit Gloucestershire. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Royal Visit to Gloucester". British Movietone. 3 May 1955. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  9. ^ "The Queen visits Gloucester". Visit Gloucester. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  10. .
  11. ^ "TSB Bank". Bank opening times. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  12. .
  13. .
  14. ^ "About Gloucester Guildhall". Explore Gloucester. Retrieved 19 August 2020.