A charity haas stepped in to take over the Guild Hall and Charter Theatre, throwing open the doors with immediate effect.

The Guild Foundation, a Registered Charity formed to develop the arts and leisure in and around Preston, has stepped forward to pick up the baton to secure a specialist operator for the troubled venue.

Discussions are still underway to identify the new operator but it is understood VMS Live is still very much in the running.

Read more: Management company VMS Live brought in to take over the Guild Hall

The Guild Foundation is funded by Simon Rigby, with a board of volunteer trustees – but Simon is not permitted to benefit from any surplus generated. 

Mr Rigby said “Even though I lost £6,000,000 on the Guild Hall I am determined not to leave Preston without the booming Guild Hall it deserves.

“I have no interest in operating the Charter Theatre or Great Hall myself but the talented Management that have worked so hard for many years deserve an opportunity to shape the future”. 

Mr Rigby added “In due course any Registered Charity,  local good cause or Ticket Holders who paid cash for shows that are cancelled should be in for good news once we have completed some legal formalities”. 

Read more: Ticket refunds are in the pipeline, says Guild Hall boss

Lisa Matthew a Trustee of The Guild Foundation and Operations Director of GF Preston will be managing the hand over to a world class operator said: “We are determined to see the Guild Hall to the next level by putting together a core of staff who understand the importance of the Guild Hall to Preston who will work alongside a world class operator – thus delivering the best of both worlds for Preston” 

For updates visit www.gfpreston.co.uk.