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The Stamford Corn Exchange is a performance venue built in the 19th Century, in Stamford, England. It is located on Broad Street, in the heart of Stamford

History
"A Corn Exchange is still wanted in addition to the buildings, which might not only be an ornament to the borough but would also afford great accommodation to the factor and the farmer...Buildings of this description are hardly to be expected at present, nor indeed can they be hoped for before their is considerable improvement made in lighting and paving the streets."

J Drakard, 'The history of Stamford, in the county of Lincoln, 1822

The Corn Exchange was built on the site of the 'Black Swann Inn' about which little is known - the earliest reference in Stamford Mercury in 1774 refers to the 'Black Swan and Globe' located near to the site of the existing corn market. In 1839, an open arcade was built in the street outside the Swann to house a permanent corn market, designed by Rev. Henry de Foe Baker of Greetham. Following a public meeting held in 1857 the site which had formerly housed the 'Black Swann Inn' was purchased and designs drawn up by Stamford based architect, Edward Browning.

The building erected by 1859, in the Perpendicular Gothic Style, and including card and retiring room for additional entertainments. The then Marquis of Exeter reportedly contributed £100 to the building funds. In the same year the venue hosted it's first ball, held by the Ancient Order of Foresters.

In 1863 the Corn Exchange hosted celebrations following the marriage of Queen Victoria's eldest son, the then  Prince of Wales to  Princess Alexandra of Denmark.

At the beginning of the 20th century the building began to be used as a cinema, and performances of the Stamford Operatic Society - which is now known as the Stamford Amateur Musical Society, and uses the venue in the modern era. The building's name changed several times - from the 'New Palace of Varieties', to 'The Electric Cinema' to 'The Picture Palace'. Following a fire in 1925 which caused approximately £10,000 worth of damage. It then underwent considerable refurbishment in 1926, and was re-opened as 'The Picturedome' in 1927, which it remained until 1956.

In 1956 a law required that cinema venues must have screening rooms as permanent fixtures. Until this point the screen and seating had been set up to be rearranged, to accommodate the alternative use of the space as a corn market by stall holders on Fridays. This practice continued until the late 1950s, following which auctions were conducted in the venue. During this period the use of the space for theatrical productions had continued, but on a reduced basis in comparison to the late 19th century. The hall was closed as an auction room and its use for entertainment saw a hiatus in the late 1980s. In the 1990s the venue was used as an antiques salesroom, although the 'Stamford Pantomine Players' and Operatic Society were allowed to access the venue to deliver annual productions.

Modern usage
In 2002 the charitable company 'Corn Exchange Theatre Company’ (CETC)' was formally registered with the Charity Commission, having been incorporated and launched the previous year. Its express charitable purpose is to; "...advance the education of the public in the arts, and especially but the dramatic arts, and especially by the dramatic arts, by encouraging and supporting high standards in particular but not exclusively by: the provision of a theatre and the provision of workshops."

The refurbishment work and management of the venue were overseen entirely by volunteers. The venue has held 'open days' to share the progress of the work It also hosts wedding ceremonies as a venue licensed to do so by Lincolnshire County Council.

The programme continues to feature Gilbert and Sullivan works, as well as

Things to do

 * 1) Categories
 * 2) Projects
 * 3) Corn exchange listings
 * 4) Wikisource