Guildhall, Newcastle upon Tyne


The Guildhall is an important civic building in Newcastle upon Tyne. It is a Grade I listed building.

History

The current building was commissioned to replace an earlier facility damaged by fire in 1639.
The new building was designed by Robert Trollope and completed in 1655. The frontage was rebuilt to designs by William Newton and David Stephenson in 1794. The east end of the building is an extension designed by John Dobson and completed in 1823. The south side is in a classical style and was designed by John and William Stokoe in 1809. The main room is long and broad.
The building was originally a place where travellers, sailing in our out of the River Tyne, would meet and was referred to as the "Merchant Ventures Hall". The mayor and sheriff were allowed to hold borough courts there. It was also the meeting place of Newcastle Town Council until 1863 when it re-located to Newcastle Town Hall in St Nicholas Square.