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Portsmouth Guildhall, completed in 1890, was designed in the neo-classical style by architect William Hill, who was responsible for the design of Bolton Town Hall. Local architect Charles Bevis, in partnership with Hill, directed the construction. Hill died before the building was completed and Bevis added to the design. The building was originally the town hall, but on 21 April 1926 Portsmouth was raised to the status of a city and the town hall was renamed the Guildhall. On 10 January 1941, during the Second World War, it was hit by incendiary bombs and gutted. The interior and roof were destroyed, with just the outer walls and tower remaining, albeit fire-damaged. It was rebuilt after the war at a cost of £1.5 million, using war compensation funds, and on 8 June 1959 Her Majesty the Queen performed the re-opening ceremony.
There are five bells in its bell tower known as the Pompey Chimes. The biggest bell is named after Queen Victoria and is inscribed with her name.
The Pompey Chimes fell silent in 2003 when the bell tower was found to be in need of restoration from the corrosive nature of salt in the air. The work was carried out by Smith of Derby Group, the restoration project finishing in time for Queen Elizabeth's visit to Portsmouth in 2009 to mark the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
The Guildhall has a standing capacity of up to 2,500 for concerts, and can accommodate 10 to 500 people for weddings or banquets. Other facilities include a Cafe, art galleries, meeting rooms for hire and a business lounge on the first floor. It is in the city centre close to the Portsmouth and Southsea railway station.
Grade II listed. Link

Created: Wed, 1 Apr 2015, Updated: Wed, 1 Apr 2015