Architect bowls into a new era

PRESTON-based architects have unveiled the latest phase in the transformation of the Guild Hall, the city’s leading entertainment and leisure complex.
 
The Frank Whittle Partnership (FWP) has submitted ambitious plans to convert the basement and ground floor levels of the Guild Hall into a 10-pin bowling alley, nine-hole crazy golf course, karaoke booths, a sports bar and dining room.
 
A new entrance is proposed for Lord Street – directly facing the city’s iconic Bus Station, where a £23m Youth Zone and new piazza are being built – opening up the Guild Hall and replacing the existing underpass.
 
FWP has designed a masterplan for the gradual redevelopment of the 1970s venue replacing redundant features such as the former Morrison’s and Brewster’s retail stores, and adding modern, attractive restaurants and bars as well as redesigning the external areas.
 
The latest addition to the Guild Hall complex is the Villa Italian, a bar, trattoria and pizzeria concept by the Guild Hall owners, The Rigby Organisation, which operates The Villa brand of hotels and restaurants in the North West.
 
FWP’s architect overseeing the Guild Hall redevelopment is Seb Salisbury who has submitted a planning application to Preston City Council working alongside PWA Planning, the Lancashire-based consultancy.
 
Salisbury said: “The internal basement and ground floor areas will be totally transformed by the creation of a new boutique bowling leisure facility.
 
“10-pin bowling and the crazy golf and other indoor sports create an exciting new offering within Preston city centre and help to further establish the reputation of the Guild Hall as a destination leisure attraction.
 
“Creating a new entrance opens the Guild Hall up to the exciting transformation of the bus station and the revitalisation of the public realm in this historic area of Preston.
 
“The vision is to create a vibrant cultural hub of entertainment, arts and leisure based on Manchester’s ultra-successful Printworks destination, but with the added attraction of live entertainment in the Guild Hall’s two theatres.”
 
Paul Walton, director of PWA Planning, added: “What to do with the former supermarket site has been a conundrum for some time, but by securing a change of use from retail to leisure we can help bring this building back to life and give it a bright future.
 
“The designs by FWP show how the building can be enhanced internally and externally, to boost the city’s economy and improve the look of the area.”
 
The Guild Hall entertainment and retail complex was built to the designs of the RMJM Architectural practice and officially opened in 1973 – a year after the planned opening intended to celebrate the 1972 Preston Guild.
 
The Guild Centre and Tower were built after the Guild Hall and Salisbury believes there has always been an uncomfortable juxtaposition between the two buildings, which isn’t helped by the original use of dull materials and uninviting spaces.
 
He said: “There’s a nine-metre high red brick wall with few windows creating an imposing and uninviting façade with little character and no connection for the general public.
 
“Our plans transform this into an inviting, welcoming entrance to an exciting, new, family-orientated venue within the city centre.”
 
With its roots firmly in the city FWP, which received widespread acclaim for its work on the regeneration of Preston North End’s Deepdale stadium, has been involved in the Guild Hall project from day one.
 
FWP, which has offices in Preston and Manchester, and is one of the biggest architecture and project management practices in the region, has also drawn up plans for the new offices of creative and cultural education organisation Curious Minds which will be based in the building.
 
The practice, which is based in Ribblesdale Place in the heart of the city’s business district, has also drawn up a vision to remodel the venue’s frontage – creating a striking new entrance with a stunning, modern atrium that will breathe new life into the building’s underused first-floor balcony.

Over the years the Guild Hall has hosted many major events – with pop icons such as The Osmonds and the Jackson Five performing as well as David Bowie and Elton John. For many years the Guild Hall was home to the UK Snooker Championship.