Weymouth Guildhall

Weymouth Guildhall was designed by Talbot Bury and constructed in 1836-37.[1] It was built of Portland stone and includes a "tall projecting portico" and "grand entrance hall".[1] Opened on 25 June 1838, the local council used the upper floor council chamber and court room, while a police station, including cells, was established on the ground floor. The Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England described the building as a "suitably dignified building" with a "formal classical statement", but added that it "cannot be fully appreciated as it faces a narrow street".[1] Upon its completion, the guildhall replaced the existing facilities of the Melcombe Regis Town Hall, which had been on the same site, and Weymouth Town Hall.[2]

The police relocated to new premises in 1955; however the Weymouth & Portland Borough Council continued to use the building for meetings into the 21st century.[3] In 2010, some members of the council called for the building to be sold. Most of the building was vacant and it faced essential repair costs. By then the building was still home to the registry office,[4] and an area was in use by the Weymouth Community Volunteers; however most of the building was vacant, with the council holding only a few meetings there each year.[5] The council carried out some essential repair work in 2013 and then sold the building to James Braxton of Antiques Road Trip fame in 2014.[6] At the time, Braxton announced his intention to preserve the building's history and "bring access back" by using the building as both a wedding venue and family holiday lets.[4][7]

• Guild
• Guildhall