'Best seats in the house' - Portsmouth Guildhall to undergo an overhaul with 2,000 new 'lux' seats fitted
Major refurbishment will see ‘uncomfortable’ seats replaced
The Portsmouth Guildhall is set to undergo a £600,000 refurbishment with all of the venue’s 2,000 seats being replaced to provide a ‘lux’ seating experience.
The Guildhall Trust, which runs the building, has announced the major work will take place this summer and be completed ahead of the autumn season of events which starts on September 3. Following events, reviews have cited the existing seating as “tired”, “dated” and “uncomfortable” with the trust choosing to replace them with a contoured seat and backrest “designed for comfort”.
In addition, a number of premium seats are going to be installed, offering greater comfort and increased space with the venue describing them as the “best seats in the house”. The VIP seats will also include early and no queue entry as well as access to a private lounge.
The refurbishment is being funded by Portsmouth City Council and The Guildhall Trust with the aim of ensuring the venue continues to thrive for generations to come.
Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: “Portsmouth Guildhall is one of the city’s most iconic and important venues. This investment will significantly improve the experience for visitors and help continue to attract top artists to our city, ensuring the Guildhall remains a leading destination for culture and entertainment.”
As well as the installation of new seats, there will be a refresh of the décor with painting and decorating being undertaken to give the auditorium a new maroon and gold interior. New stage tabs and a new carpet for the upper stalls and circle areas will also be put in place with the improvements not set to stop there.
Chief Executive Officer for The Guildhall Trust, Andy Grays said: “The improvement works to the auditorium and new seating are critical to the long-term success of Portsmouth Guildhall. We strive to give people attending our concerts and events the best experience possible and comfort is a key component of that.
“We work hard to bring the best acts to the city and continued investment in our facilities helps us to remain competitive. With further improvements to our bar facilities in the pipeline, this is an exciting time for Portsmouth and the Guildhall!”
All profits from this year’s open-air Summer Concerts in Guildhall Square will contribute to completing the refurbishment and further work to replace the auditorium’s sound-proofing tapestries.
The new seating system is being provided by Hussey Seatway and will allow the venue to retain its flexible format with removable seating in the stalls area.The new interior has been designed by Tilly Hemingway for Hemingway Design.
Further information on the work to improve the Guildhall and to buy tickets to the Summer Concerts visit:www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk