G Live

G Live is an arts centre in Guildford, Surrey, England. The venue was officially opened by Prince Edward, Duke of Kent in February 2012.

G Live
G Live
G Live in Surrey
AddressLondon Road
LocationGuildford
Coordinates51°14′17″N 0°33′59″W
Public transitLocal buses stop outside
OwnerGuildford Borough Council
OperatorHQ Theatres Limited Guildford
TypeArts and conference venue
CapacityMain auditorium: 1000-1700
Bellerby Studio: 100
Construction
Broke groundAugust 2009
OpenedSeptember 2011 (2011-09)
Construction cost£26 million
ArchitectAustin-Smith:Lord
Website
glive.co.uk

Background

Guildford Civic Hall was the town's main arts and entertainment venue. It closed in January 2004[1] and was replaced on the same site[2] by the new live entertainment and conference venue, G Live, which opened in September 2011. The new building incorporates 80% of the structural material from its predecessor.[3] The venue cost £26m.[4]

G Live is operated by HQ Theatres Limited Guildford on behalf of Guildford Borough Council.[4] The name was chosen by local members of the public.[5]

Facilities

The venue has a main auditorium with a capacity of 1000 seated or 1700 for standing events, a 100 seat studio theatre, known as the Bellerby Studio, and also conference rooms.[5]

2013 accident

On Saturday morning, 9 February 2013, a tour manager from the singing group Fisherman's Friends was killed by a falling metal door at the venue.[6] The group were due to have performed at the venue. One of the singers of the group also suffered critical injuries when the door fell and later also died in hospital.[7] In November 2015 David Naylor, 56, from Bridgnorth, Shropshire, was charged with two counts of manslaughter by gross negligence.[8] In November 2016, Naylor was cleared of manslaughter, and Express Hi-Fold Doors Limited was fined £30,000 for breaches of health and safety laws.[9]

References
  1. "New £19.5m civic centre approved". BBC News. 14 July 2006. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  2. "Guildford Antiques Fair at G Live". Surreylife.co.uk. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  3. "Your New Venue". G Live. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  4. "Surrey's £26m G Live arts venue opened by Duke of Kent". BBC. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  5. "New £26m Guildford venue name chosen by public passed". BBC. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  6. "Fisherman's Friends' tour manager dies in G Live accident". BBC. 10 February 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  7. "Fisherman's Friends' Trevor Grills dies after G Live accident". BBC. 12 February 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  8. "Fisherman's Friends: G Live shanty group deaths accused charged". BBC. 4 November 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  9. "Company fined after stage door kills singer and band promoter". The Guardian. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
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