Southampton's Cultural Quarter
Guildhall Square – The ideal place to hold your event
Guildhall Square in the heart of Southampton's new Cultural Quarter, is a versatile and contemporary space that is the perfect setting for performance art shows, seasonal events, community activities and a unique showcase space for promotional exhibits. The newly refurbished Square was completed in October 2010 and has created a unique public space for the city that will be alive with arts, heritage, entertainment, events, music, colour and dramatic architecture.
Background Information
The Southampton Guildhall is an impressive backdrop to the Square. Southampton Solent University's Conference Centre and Artisan Cafe is located on one side of the Square and on the other side is the new One Guildhall Square building - home to the City Council's offices including Gateway - the customer contact reception and Capita's new regional business centre for the South. This building also has two retail outlets that will add to the dining experience on the Square. There are many thriving eateries, cafes, bars, shops and businesses in the surrounding area of the Square, adding to the footfall and the day and night time economy of the city. (Over 4,000 people work in the surrounding area with 1,000+ students).
The wider area already boasts one of the finest art galleries in the country, the hugely popular Mayflower theatre and BBC regional centre. They all help to attract more than one million visitors a year to the city. Meanwhile, the new Sea City museum will open in April 2012 and the plans for a new Arts Complex will not only attract huge public and private investment, creating new jobs and bringing social, cultural and economic benefits to the city but will increase the Square's appeal as a venue.
The Cultural Quarter is just part of exciting bigger plans for the whole city and endorses Southampton’s reputation as a vibrant city with a creative core at its heart.
Summary of Facilities
Address: For SAT NAV users. Guildhall Square, West Marlands Road, Southampton SO14 7LP
Ground Surface: Variety of granite paving, with fixed seating positioned at angles
Size:
G1: East side of Square - Approx 42m x 28m
G2: West side of Square – Approx 42m x 28m
G1 + G2: Main Square – Approx 42m x 56m
G1 + G2 + G3: Main Square and Guildhall Forecourt* – Approx 42m x 90m
*Depending on the nature of the event, the official closure of West Marlands Road may be required. There is an additional charge to cover road closures. Please note that G3 (Guildhall Forecourt) will not be available when an event is taking place at the Southampton Guildhall.
Power:
6 x power boxes with 16 amp single phase power supply located on the main Square (G1 and G2)
2 x power boxes with 32 amp three phase power supply located on the East side of the Square (G2)
Premises License: The City Council’s Event Management hold a premises license for this area to a maximum of 4,999 people at any one time.
An application pack to use Guildhall Square along with site plan and terms and conditions is available to download at the end of this page.
Grass Area - Old Tyrell and Green Site
The location site of the new Arts Complex is the old area of Tyrrell and Green on Above Bar, opposite the Square. Whilst the Arts Complex is still in its planning stages, this area can be utilised for events and activities. It has been grassed over with a public walkway through the centre and measures approx 80m x 25m. There are no power facilities in this area. Please contact Event Management for more details and prices. This area will not be available after 2 July 2012.
Indicative Fees
Site Fee: Each section of the Square costs £500 per day. This includes access to 1 x 16 amp power supply.
Additional Power: Additional power supply will be charged at £25 per 16 amp power supply / £35 per 32 amp power supply
Vehicle access: Vehicle access is restricted in this area and a vehicle permit scheme is in operation in Guildhall Square / West Marlands Road for loading and unloading only.
The cost for a vehicle permit is £1 for short term (30 mins max) for loading and unloading.
Please note there are many city centre car parks and pay and display bays in the nearby vicinity.
Events in the Square
To celebrate the creation of the Cultural Quarter, a spectacular outdoor event was held in Guildhall Square in 2009. The city played host to the internationally respected French theatre company Transe Express. Performers were suspended 50m in the air on a human mobile with drummers and a trapeze artist swooping above the heads of the 7,000 strong audience.
Once the Square was completed, a major launch event took place in November 2010 called Alive and Ablaze creating a magical and awe-inspiring fire garden, with dancing fire sculptures, mysterious fiery engines and cascades of candles attracting 10,000 audience over the two days.
Past Events held in Guildhall Square
2010
Music In the City: October
Queen Elizabeth Naming celebrations: October
Remembrance Sunday Service Parade: November
Baubles and Bicycles: December
2011
Chinese New Year Celebrations: February
Southampton Football Club 125 event: February
Macmillan Fire Walk: March
King John's Morris Men: April
Southampton Passion: April
Broadcast of Royal Wedding on big screen: April
Bollywood Baraat: May
Rangoli: June
Recycling Week event: June
No Fit State Circus: July
Lloyds TSB London 2012 Olympic Torch Tour exhibition: July
Sky Ride - August
KX Urban Thrills Tour: August
Epilepsy Action Day: August
Solar Cinema: September
Art Asia's 30 Ragas: October
Solent Students Union / Coca Cola Olympic Torch Tour: October
Superdrug Bus: October
2012
Jumbulance launch: February
Musical Alphabet: March
Smile in the Square: March
Sport Relief Mile: March
Sound of Silents: March
Coming soon...
Orienteering Event: 28 April
Climate Caravan: 21 May
Better Connected: 26 May
Sky Ride: 1 July
For further information or to check availability of Guildhall Square contact Event Management at email: events@southampton.gov.uk
Southampton City Council
