Two bidders vying to operate Salisbury's City Hall

Friday, 20 December 2024 06:05

Salisbury Radio understands that two organisations are bidding to become Salisbury's City Hall operators.

The process of finding an operator for Salisbury's largest entertainment venue has been ongoing since March 2023, and now it seems we might be moving towards finding out who that might be.

Wiltshire Council has insisted that since marketing the building earlier this year through estate agents Savills, there has been good interest from various organisations

Salisbury Radio understands that two organisations remain interested, with both Wiltshire Creative and Swindon-based Meca in the running to take over operations at the venue.

Wiltshire Creative already run Salisbury's Playhouse and Arts Centre and organises the Salisbury International Arts Festival.

Meca Swindon is a Live Music and Entertainment venue based in a deco-style former theatre in Swindon.

It is also believed that other parties, including Portsmouth Guildhall Trust, had expressed an interest in operating City Hall but withdrew from the process.

Salisbury Radio also understands that a decision on the operator of choice is set to be made at a Wiltshire Council Cabinet meeting early in 2025, with the next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 21st January 2025.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “The period of marketing City Hall as a long lease opportunity to prospective organisations has come to an end. Our letting specialist, Savills, has provided us with details of the multiple parties who have formally submitted interest to run City Hall as an entertainment venue on our behalf. Any information about the interested parties or their bid remain commercially confidential.

“After the council has considered the information provided, Savills will be asked to confirm their formal recommendation and be instructed to undertake appropriate due diligence, as any decision we make must be the right one for the future of the venue. All bids will be subject to the usual checks and we will provide a further update as soon as we are able to.”

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