Bedford



Bedford Corn Exchange - Day outBedford Corn Exchange
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Bedford Corn Exchange

bedford corn exchange 1
Bedford Corn Exchange
Bedford Corn Exchange
Harpur Suite
Harpur Street
Bedford
Bedfordshire
MK40 1LE

Tel: 01234 269519
Fax: 01234 325358
E-Mail:

Web:

About Bedford Corn Exchange

Corn Exchange Today

The Bedford Corn Exchange is a multi-purpose venue holding over 800 events per year.

These include concerts, comedians, singers, council meetings and corporate events. Performers at the venue for the Autumn 2011 season include Chris Addison, Jim Davidson, Marc Almond, The Blockheads, Ed Byrne, Richard Durrant, Dave Gorman, Russell Kane, Mike Harding, Numberjacks, Richmond Fontaine, Steeleye Span, Syd Lawrence Orchestra and the Philharmonia Orchestra.

History of the Corn Exchange

The building (constructed in 1874) was designed to be a concert venue and meeting space, as well as a place of business. The basement contained offices, cloakrooms, kitchen, hall keepers room and dining rooms.

The build took two years and the total cost was £9,000. It replaced the 'Floral Hall' building across St Paul's Square which had been constructed in 1849.

The BBC Symphony Orchestra used the Corn Exchange between September 1941 and July 1945 for public concerts which were broadcast to the nation.

The BBC Music and Religious Departments moved to Bedford when it became too dangerous for them to be based in London or their wartime home, Bristol. Around 400 musicians, staff and engineers moved to the town during World War Two.

In 1944, the BBC Proms came to Bedford. Since their birth they had been performed in The Queen's Hall in London which was destroyed by bombs on 10 May 1941.

They moved to the Royal Albert Hall until that too became in danger and they transferred to the Corn Exchange for the rest of the 1944 season.

The Corn Exchange played host to many star names during World War Two including Glenn Miller, Bing Crosby, Marlene Dietrich, Vera Lynn, Bob Hope, Humphrey Bogart, Gracie Fields, David Niven and Yehudi Menuhin. During this time the Corn Exchange was also used as an Armed Forces Canteen.

The Harpur Suite, part of the Corn Exchange complex
In 1995, the Philharmonia Orchestra began a residency at the Corn Exchange. It is still one of the homes of the orchestra today.



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Every effort is made to make sure that all the information is correct but we strongly recommend that you call Bedford Corn Exchange before you set off on your day out to confirm opening times and admission prices.

Please also note that the position on Google maps for Bedford Corn Exchange is a rough estimate using their postcode in the database and might be slightly out.

It may also be worth clicking the web link for Bedford Corn Exchange to see if there are any special events coming up or currently on.