The Guildhall could be the answer
Alison Stephenson Local Democracy Reporter
16:00, 08 Feb 2026
Plymouth Guildhall. (Image: Alison Stephenson)
A mid sized music venue could be the catalyst to firing up Plymouth City Centre’s night-time economy which is currently being held together by the Theatre Royal, it’s been claimed.
The city is crying out for a venue that holds between 1,000 and 2,000 people and Plymouth City Council thinks the Guildhall could be the answer, once the refurbishment is complete.
Music fans are travelling away from the city to other parts of Devon and Cornwall to see acts and the city is losing out.
Concerns were raised at the council’s natural infrastructure and growth scrutiny panel this week after a number of high profile and much loved pubs and hospitality venues announced closures amid financial struggles.
Theatre Royal boss James Mackenzie-Blackman explained that more entertainment venues in the city would help to sustain the hospitality sector.
“If you put nightclubs to one side the night-time economy in the city centre is really us at the moment,” he said. “And we feel a big responsibility to the businesses immediately around us.
“Pizza Express is called the Theatre Royal Pizza Express for a reason because when we are busy they are busy.
“A joined up evening economy is vital. The weight of the responsibility for 20 to 30 businesses is really significant. I want nothing more than other places for people to go in the evening.”
Cllr Matt Smith (Lab, Compton), who has just been given a new role by the council’s cabinet as night-time economy champion, said he went to gigs at places like The Cornish Bank in Falmouth and live music venues in Totnes.
“I’m sure the bands would come to Plymouth if there was a venue of a similar size,” he said.
“For me there has been a gap in Plymouth’s cultural and night time offer in live music and specifically it’s a mid sized venue that we don’t have. It would complete our cultural offer.”
He suggested that there might need to be a purpose built venue: “It just feels like something we are lacking.”
The council’s service director for economic development David Draffan said the Guildhall was that opportunity.
“This is the one we need to get behind now. That 1,000-2,000 capacity venue is the thing we are missing in the eco system.”
He said Plymouth’s bid to become City of Culture in 2029 could provide “a sling shot and opportunity to reposition ourselves in the music space”.
Cabinet member for culture Jemima Laing (Lab, Stoke ) said music venues were a recurring theme when she spoke to people around the city: “We need to work out what we do on this,” she said.
Work on the Grade II listed Guildhall stalled at the end of last year because of newly discovered structural problems.
Refurbishments totalling £4.5 million include updates to the two bars, the Great Hall stage, kitchen and an increased number of toilets.
A void in the Great Hall had stretched from the foundations to the apex of the building and was found after the walls and panelling were removed for the first time since construction in the 1950s.
The council said it needed to make sure the Guildhall was structurally sound and met current building fire and health and safety standards before work could begin again. It was scheduled to be completed last summer.
Top TV comedian Chris McCausland was among acts who had to reschedule shows because the refurbishment project was so far behind schedule.