Find out about St George’s Guildhall, the UK’s oldest working theatre, and the Creative Hub
About the transformation project
The Guildhall of St George and Creative Hub is a priority project for the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk and the King’s Lynn Neighbourhood Board (formerly known as the Town Deal Board). The project aims to breathe new life into the Guildhall of St George, surrounding buildings and courtyards to deliver a vibrant and fun local, regional and national centre for arts, culture, commerce and heritage.
The Guildhall of St George is the oldest working theatre in the UK and the largest surviving 15th century guildhall left in the UK. It hosts the largest 15th century scissor brace ceiling and, in a discovery as part of the regeneration project, the largest area of 15th century timber flooring in the UK.
As the oldest working theatre in the UK it is the only theatre still working that can credibly claim to have hosted performances by William Shakespeare. Shakespeare’s leading comedian Robert Armin was born in King’s Lynn in what is now the High Street.
A transformational new project is now underway at the site which will protect and celebrate the Guildhall’s historic fabric while reimagining the site as a dynamic visitor attraction and cultural hub. Construction started at the end of November 2025, with a view to the site re-opening in 2028. Some keys dates for the project are set out below:
- Construction period - Winter 2025 to Summer 2028
- Interpretation fit out - Late Summer 2028
- Site reopening - Late Summer 2028
The vision for the site and associated business plan approved by the Borough of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, King’s Lynn Neighbourhood Board and supported by HM Government aims to bring jobs, culture, wellbeing and economic prosperity to King’s Lynn.
While the site is closed, next door at 29 King Street, information about the site’s past and the exciting project to renovate the country’s oldest working theatre, is available.
Further information
Newsletters, providing an update on the progress of the ongoing works will be published on this webpage regularly and printed copies will also be available from 29 King Street.
If you would like to know more, please visit the St George’s Guildhall website or contact the Culture team below.