Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Setting the record straight on the Guildhall
Much has already been written about the demolition of Canterbury’s medieval period Guildhall.
However, I would like to summarise and correct the facts leading up to the historic building’s downfall. City architect Hugh Wilson first became aware of serious structural problems with the building in 1948.
Consequently, he conducted a number of thorough architectural surveys. He found that, as well as amounts of dry rot, the main elevation facing Guildhall Street was leaning out dangerously and had already fractured with the frontage facing the High Street. Had this been left, then the heavy, medieval roof would have collapsed in, with dire consequences.
Finally and reluctantly, he concluded that the only realistic way of achieving a lasting repair was to dismantle the main structure, from about six feet up and then rebuild entirely. This was carried out in 1950. However, the Mayor’s Parlour facing Guildhall Street and the undercroft – the oldest part of the building – was retained.
I want to correct the long-held belief that Hugh Wilson was responsible for the Guildhall’s destruction. Correspondence at the time, of which I have copies, clearly shows that his intention was to rebuild, although there is no indication as to what style of architecture he would have used.
The person who finally decided that no rebuilding would take place was town clerk John Boyle, who stated that there was no point in it, as the resultant structure would contain little of historic value. Better to re-use the site, he said, to ease the curve for traffic, passing from the High Street into Guildhall Street, and then sell off the rest of the lucrative site for retail redevelopment. Complete demolition took place in 1955 and a new flatroofed shop, on the reduced site, was opened the following year.
The Guildhall’s medieval roof timbers could be seen rotting away in the council’s yard for many years afterwards.