University of Portsmouth students will get lectures in first term at Portsmouth Guildhall

Portsmouth Guildhall will be used by the University of Portsmouth until December to enable students to attend lectures while keeping to social distancing measures.

One-way systems, face coverings and hand sanitiser stations will be in place at the 2,000-seat auditorium and 10 smaller rooms, which would normally host concerts and conferences, to make the venue safe.

Chief operating officer and deputy vice-chancellor at the university, Bernie Topham, said: ‘This is an exciting and creative solution to challenging circumstances, giving us extra space to host safe and engaging face to face teaching which we know is valued by our students.

‘We’ve worked collaboratively with the Guildhall for many years for university events such as graduation and open days, and this further cements our relationship.

‘We are also part of the local community and it’s important for us to support city venues like the Guildhall while meeting our students’ needs.’

The university said last month it will test 10 per cent of staff and students every two weeks to help monitor and prevent the spread of coronavirus across campus.

Chief executive officer for The Guildhall Trust Andy Grays said: ‘This contract will go some way to mitigating the significant losses we are forecasting for this financial year and enable us to bring back some of our highly-skilled team from furlough.

SEE ALSO: Everything University of Portsmouth fresher students should know about the city

‘Portsmouth Guildhall is a very flexible space, as shown in the range of events we would normally host, and we are delighted that an alternative use has been found in these unprecedented times that benefits not just us but the whole city.

‘We enjoy a longstanding relationship with University of Portsmouth as host to their graduations and they are an event partner in our annual Comic Con and we look forward to welcoming their students.’The guildhall announced last week it will be back in 2021 with a variety of live shows including popular Elvis tribute act Ben Portsmouth, comedian Jimmy Carr and Strictly Come Dancing – The Professionals.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.