The History of BEAM
This site boasts over a century of arts and culture history.
With a history spanning more than a millennium, Hertford is a town rich in heritage. For over 100 years, the very site on which our venue stands has remained a place of cultural significance at the heart of the local community.
1610
This site was home to the town mill, and at one time, there were six mills across Hertford. It was renamed Illot’s Mill in 1855 and predominantly milled corn.
Hertford became a flourishing town thanks to its riverside location, providing trade and navigation routes and power for industry.
1914
Shops and houses are cleared to build a new cinema and a new entrance to Hertford Castle. The Castle Cinema housed an impressive 1,000 seats, and typically, as with many early cinemas, it would have screened a changing program of silent, short films rather than single feature films.
1944
The Castle Cinema closes briefly after suffering damage from a flying bomb that landed nearby. The explosion affected many buildings around Mill Bridge, but thankfully no casualties. The cinema reopened in 1946.
1959
The cinema closes on 28 November and is demolished in 1967. The final screening was The City Jungle, starring Paul Newman.
1975
Castle Hall, a new civic centre is built. The design was influenced by local maltings and oast houses that were once part of Hertford’s skyline. The civic centre specialised in civic events, antique fairs and later, wrestling matches, children’s TV character shows and local amateur productions.
2010
The new council-run, multi-purpose Hertford Theatre opens on The Wash, featuring a high fly-tower and 400-seat auditorium. A £1 million upgrade adds digital film facilities and extends the front of house. The programme expands to include professional theatre and comedy, alongside second-release films.
2021
The theatre closes for major redevelopment. The last film to be shown was a socially distanced screening of The Father on 5 June, to a sold-out house and a standing ovation.
2022
Construction begins on a >£30m redevelopment project. Designed by Bennetts Associates and Citizens Design Bureau, the venue receives recognition from Hertford Civic Society for its positive visual impact on the town and from industry-leading awards such as the Hertford Civic Society, the BRICK Awards and the UK Theatre Awards.
2024
The venue reopens as BEAM, a new cultural destination featuring multiple cutting-edge performance spaces and a café/bar.
We officially opened with a sell-out comedy night hosted by local comedy legend Alistair Barrie - the perfect way to raise the curtain.
