Summary

Tudor guildhall known as the Old Guildhall in Looe.

Source: Historic England

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 2 December 2015. This record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.

This monument includes a Tudor guildhall situated on Middle Market Street in Looe. The guildhall survives as a rectangular stone built two storied slate roofed structure with an external roofed staircase which retains many of its original external and interior features including, doors, canopied plaster ceilings, joists, trusses, collars, purlins, lintels, corbels, panelling, an 18th century magistrates bench and window frames. It is currently used as a museum. The building dates originally to the 16th century, was slightly remodelled in the 17th century and has later additions.

The Old Guildhall is listed at Grade II*.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Guildhalls were erected by the leading merchants and members of various craft guilds within towns and cities in order for members to hold discussions and various social and economic meetings related to the running of markets, apprenticeships and other administrative necessities such as the discussion of charters, rights and taxation. They are often sumptuous buildings and were built to reflect the wealth, affluence and importance of great wealth generated through trade and commercial enterprise and frequently contain the best innovations of new design, technology and fashion at the time. The Tudor guildhall known as the Old Guildhall in Looe, survives well and contains both original features and later modifications in design and technological improvement representing the growing influence, wealth and importance of merchants and craftsmen through time.

Source: Historic England