The redevelopment of the Priory Centre will deliver a significantly upgraded cultural facility for St Neots. The new Priory Centre will create a modern, flexible riverside venue for meetings, events, functions, theatre and community use.
This is a major partnership project between Huntingdonshire District Council and St Neots Town Council to modernise and transform a 50-year-old building that will be capable of serving the residents of St Neots for another 50 years.
What the project delivers
The Great Hall will gain a full balcony, increasing seated capacity to 430, with new retractable seating for true multi-purpose use.
A new lobby, upgraded bars, and fully accessible Changing Places facilities will significantly improve the visitor experience.
There will also be a substantial increase in meeting, event and function space, plus improved energy efficiency supported by 28 rooftop photovoltaic panels.
Who is delivering it?
This project is jointly led by Huntingdonshire District Council and St Neots Town Council.
The Priory Centre is owned by the District Council, whilst St Neots Town Council are responsible for managing and operating the building.
Scheme funding
The total investment into the Priory Centre is £9.9 million, provided by both the District and Town Council’s through regeneration funding, grants and Community Infrastructure Levy.
The net cost to local taxpayers is nil. The budget has been increased by 10% since works began to meet post-Grenfell fire safety requirements and modern building standards.
Additional future-proofing works, not included in the original scheme, include the full replacement of the roof structure.
Current progress
Work is underway across the entirety of the site. The new Town Council wing is starting to take shape and will also provide a substantial increase in community and event space.
Scaffolding is coming down across the building as work intensifies in the Great Hall and new lobby. Much of the weather-reliant external works are complete, reducing risk this winter. A prominent new row of second-floor breakout meeting and event rooms is also now very visible at the front of the building.
Timeline and next steps
Main construction works began in March 2025. Whilst the original schedule was to reopen in Autumn/Winter 2026, extra structural, compliance and refurbishment complexities have extended completion and final handover to St Neots Town Council to July 2027.
A lot of the focus to date has been on structural works and creating the new building space, which has included the new roof, breakout rooms and Town Council wing. Construction work in the coming weeks will focus more on the interior, including the Great Hall, lounge, and reception area.
In the lead-up to handover next year, previous users of the facility, including community groups and other organisations, and regular customers will be invited for a first look before full reopening.
As part of planning for operation of the new Centre, St Neots Town Council is in the process of recruiting for a programme manager to bring together an exciting programme ahead of the new venue opening. Further details will be available at the earliest opportunity.
Further information
For more information about the Priory Centre refurbishment and construction, please contact Steve Wilson at Huntingdonshire District Council by email to
stephen.wilson@huntingdonshire.gov.uk or by telephone on 07519 701682.
If your query is about how the new venue will operate, or to enquire about potential bookings for events, theatrical productions or room hire, please contact Blair Mcphee, at St Neots Town Council by email to blair.mcphee@stneots-tc.gov.uk or by telephone on 01480 388911.