GUILDHALL REOPENS AFTER REFURBISHMENT
GUILDHALL REOPENS AFTER REFURBISHMENT
OPEN WEEKEND 16th-17th FEBRUARY
The Guildhall buildings are now open for hire after extensive refurbishment.
The team which runs the Abbey Cinema in the 1960s extension to the Guildhall and the Unicorn in the Abbey Buildings, is now managing the Guildhall facility on behalf of the Town Council.
Ian Wiper said, “We are delighted to be managing the Guildhall which seemed to make sense given our hospitality experience and the fact that we already have a whole team in situ running the cinema 7 days a week, from 9am until late”
A new website www.guildhall.ac has been launched and features images of the five historic rooms, the Roysse Room (formerly the Abingdon school room), the Old Magistrates Court (with magistrates bench, dock and cells still intact), the Abbey Room, the Bear Room and the grand Council Chamber complete with impressive oil paintings and fireplaces.
Hire rates for local community groups and weddings have been set by the Town Council at £40 per 3 hour session for the larger Roysse Room and Council Chamber, and £24 for the other rooms. Wedding ceremonies will be charged at £300 and £150 respectively. The rooms are available for weddings, christenings, clubs and society meetings, banquets and social events.
The Guildhall restoration included refurbishing the kitchen to professional standards and there are now two resident chefs to cater for everything from bespoke wedding receptions to food during films. There are exciting plans for pop up supper clubs, cooking demonstrations and film themed food events as well as numerous events organised by Abingdon’s thriving clubs and societies.
Kerry Harris, Guildhall Events Manager, said, “we have already received numerous enquiries for weddings, parties, clubs and societies and corporate events and we look forward to meeting as many residents as possible over the Open Day Weekends.”
