Shodfriars Hall

Shodfriars Hall sits proudly on South Street, joining the Market Place with Custom House Quay. It is a black and white timber framed building, with a Victorian brick extension to the rear.

It is believed that parts of the timber framed structure dates back to the late 14 th century. Having been renovated in the 17th Century and then again as part of the Victorian extension to the rear.

 

The extension was commissioned by the Boston

Conservative Club and construction took place

between 1873 and 1875. The design was by John

Oldrid Scott and his brother George Gilbert Scott Jnr. 

It is important to note the national significance of

these architects and their father, Sir George Gilbert

Scott.

 

The brothers were known for the restoration works and

ecclesiastical and church projects. Some of the earliest

evidence available gives mention of the building in

rental books serving as the guildhall for the Guild of

Corpus Christi.

Not much is known about the history of the building

prior to the renovation and extension by the Scott

brothers, and a lot of what is believed to have

happened in the building is educated guess work.

The last performance to take place on the stage at

Shodfriars Hall was in 1929. Since then the building has

had various uses, being club rooms, a nightclub,

restaurant and snooker hall. The majority of the

building has been left empty for over 10 years now.

More recently a group of directors from Blackfriars Arts

Centre have commenced a viability study in order to

bring the building back into use. Initial ideas are to

create a multi-purpose events centre.

 

A project information centre has been opened in the South Street ground floor units (currently closed due to the pandemic) and regular tours of the building are now being offered to those interested in finding out more about the building and the project.

 

It is hoped the viability study will find a favourable outcome and
the project will move forward. It is important that this important and spectacular building is brought in to use for the local community and people of Boston.

 

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