History
Built and designed as a public hall and corn exchange at a cost of £2000 in 1870, the original red brick Victorian building can still be seen in Abbey Road.
The large hall used as the corn exchange could hold 500 people and was used for dances, public meetings and a variety of musical entertainments. Over the years the building has been used as a public hall and as a council chamber for Bourne Urban District Council following its formation in 1899. It was also a popular venue for periodic exhibitions organised by the Chamber of Trade.
In 1990, South Kesteven District Council launched a cultural plan which included opening the Guildhall Arts Centre, Grantham, refurbishing the Stamford Arts Centre and completely rebuilding the Corn Exchange and extending its facilities. A stone tablet bearing the date 1870 and the town's coat of arms were incorporated in the wall of the new building. A modern extension to the rear now forms the new entrance overlooking the new market square, which was created in 1983 following the closure of the cattle market, as after nearly 700 years on the streets the traffic was now too busy. The Corn Exchange is now managed as a function and entertainments venue by Cultural Services, South Kesteven District Council.