Guildford Borough Council is working to replace the existing Civic Hall building .The original building is outdated and no longer meets current and future standards and demands.

Planning permission for a 1,700 capacity (1,000 seated or 1,700 standing) venue was secured in 2008. The new building will include a main auditorium, a versatile studio space, two functions rooms and five seminar rooms. The venue will provide a programme of high quality entertainment including all types of music, comedy and family shows. It will offer excellent conference facilities, space for trade fairs and a wide range of community activities.

Following a full procurement process under European Union regulations, the Council appointed Willmott Dixon Construction (WDC) to build the new venue. Stanton Consulting have been engaged to provide the full M&E Design from RIBA Stage D onwards

The Council agreed the overall budget to construct the new venue at its meeting on 12 May 2009. WDC will be on site by late July/early August 2009 to begin demolition of the existing Civic Hall. The building of the new venue will begin in the autumn and WDC expect the building to be watertight within 12 months so that the internal fit-out can begin. Completion will be in autumn 2011.