A management company has been brought in to take over the operating of the Guild Hall after months of speculation.

The Guild Hall is in the final stages of discussions with VMS Live, with a deal expected to be rubber stamped this month.

VMS Live is a venue management firm which operates a number of venues across the country, including Manchester Academy and Brixton Electric.

It specialises in venue development, promotion and operational solutions.

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Simon Rigby, who still owns the venue, said the Guild Hall were impressed by VMS Live’s in depth knowledge and experience of operating major regional venues, and added a financial package to ensure the venue’s liabilities were serviced is central to the deal.

He told Blog Preston: “After all the speculation surrounding The Guild Hall’s future VMS and PGH felt it was best to confirm our joint intentions.”

Both parties expect completion this month. 

On the VMS Live website a statement under the clients section implies the deal is already done.

They state: “Not dissimilar to our arrangement in Wakefield we were brought into the venue to deliver content across their range of venues and advise on event delivery and production.

“Though still in its relative infancy, a quick look at the programme in the venue, displays the breadth and number of events we have delivered for the venues.”

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The move follows Simon Rigby’s changes at the Guild Hall in Autumn last year where he moved to outsource operation of his restaurants and bars.

Mr Rigby bought the Guild Hall in 2014 for £1 from Preston City Council with the venue on the brink of closure.

What do you think about the deal? Have you been to the Guild Hall recently? Let us know in the comments below