The Guildhall Trust

Who we are

The Guildhall Trust’s vision is to become one of the country’s leading cultural organisations which places its communities at the centre of everything it does, inspiring, entertaining and transforming lives.

A registered charity, The Guildhall Trust provides a range of inspirational opportunities through its interactive ‘Get Involved’ programmes, events that it produces and manages including the successful Portsmouth Comic Con and is responsible for the operation of Portsmouth Guildhall.

In 2010, Portsmouth City Council created an Independent not for profit Distributing Organisation (NPDO) to take over the running of the Guildhall and Portsmouth Cultural Trust was formed, becoming a registered charity in 2013. Following an extensive consultation process and rebrand the Trust changed its name to The Guildhall Trust in 2019.

Portsmouth Guildhall has a 2000 seat Concert Hall which hosts a world-class programme of music, comedy, dance, drama and family shows and events and a new 170 seat Studio staging children’s theatre and workshops, contemporary dance, drama, comedy and niche music.

The venue is also one of the leading Conferencing centres on the South coast offering a unique selection of rooms for hire and is licensed for weddings.

An open venue, the Guildhall has permanent and temporary exhibitions, an accessible business lounge and a thriving casual dining space, The Square Kitchen.