Performances to mark Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre's two important milestones

2026 marks two important milestones for the venue in Broad Street: 25 years since the formation of the Corn Exchange Theatre Company and 100 years since the beginning of the Corn Exchange Company.

Performances of the Corn Exchange 25th Anniversary Gala will take place on May 9 (7pm) and May 10 (2pm), with tickets on sale at £10.

“During these special performance, we will take a journey back to 1859, where it all began, revisiting the building and the many shows that have graced its stage over the years,” said Theatre company chairman Roger Bradshaw.

"We will also reflect on the changes made to the Corn Exchange over the past 25 years, particularly the redevelopment between 2001 and 2008, when the new auditorium was opened."

Performances have been held in the Corn Exchange building since it was first built in 1859, and three societies have performed here for many years: Stamford Pantomime Players (since 1951), Stamford G & S (since around 2000), and SAMS – originally the Stamford Amateur Operatic Society (1905–2018).

In recent years, the stage has also been home to Stamford Showstoppers.

And no shortage of well-known faces have played there on the away up including comedians Michael McIntyre, Joe Pascuale, Romesh Raganethan, Rob Beckett and Russell Kane, plus bands such as Wishbone Ash, the Manfreds, the Searchers and Chas and Dave.

The Corn Exchange was built in 1859 on the site of the Black Swann Hotel, to replace an arched structure in front of Browne’s Hospital on the opposite side of Broad Street.

Although this was built as a Corn Exchange it also hosted concerts and other events, such as Doyle Carte opera and musicals.

In 1925, during the mid-Lent fair, a spark from a steam engine set fire to the roof gutting the building. The company that owned the building went into liquidation and a new company was formed by a group of local business people and farmers. The rebuilding included the extension of the stage by 10ft and addition of a balcony.

8000 shares were issued to raise the money to cover the cost of the rebuild, which was completed and opened in 1926 – leading to celebrating 100 years of this this year.

The building had a chequered history including the sale of corn, roller skating rink, picturedrome, auction house and antique centre. It was also used two weeks a year for amateur shows, including Stamford Operatic, Stamford Gilbert and Sullivan and Stamford Pantomime Players

When the building fabric deteriorated and the lease became available in 1999, four members of Stamford Pantomime Players Players put together a business plan to convert the building into a full time theatre by the addition of an additional floor, renting out the cellar and ground floor spaces to financially support the theatre.

The Corn Exchange Theatre Company was formed as a registered charity.

“Various sources were approached for grants and funding but none was forthcoming,” added Roger. “So we appealed for volunteers and sponsors. These, along with staging fundraisers, allowed us to carry out the restoration over the next eight years, opening as a full time theatre at the end of 2008.

“We have continued to restore and improve elements of the building and we celebrate 25 years this year since the formation of the charity in 2001.”