The foundation stone for the building is recorded as being laid by Prince Christian in August 1905. Originally a complex, civic building housing Windsor’s police station, magistrates’ court and fire station, construction was completed in 1907 with the combined facility remaining in operation until 1966. The building lay empty for several years once decommissioned (making it the perfect place to film a few episodes of the crime-action-drama ‘The Professionals’).
The Old Court then became the home of Windsor Community Arts Centre (WAC) in 1981, following five years’ campaigning. Diverse local groups – Windsor Folk Club, Windsor Fringe, Windsor Theatre Guild, amongst others – and many individuals joined forces to achieve this goal. They built a wide membership, lobbied the council and won Arts Council support, all whilst producing an innovative arts magazine and running a programme of events in every conceivable venue in the town.
Finally, an innovative deal was accomplished between WAC, the Council and Speyhawk property company. WAC hosted an extensive range of the arts – from exhibitions to community plays, from classical concerts to Rock Nights – promoting local talent and enthusiasms as well as bringing big names to Windsor like George Melly, Alan Price, Sidney Nolan, Roger McGough, Wendy Cope, Lenny Henry, Yevtushenko and Allen Ginsberg.
WAC’s success was due to its belief in arts in the community and involvement of volunteers in all areas of the organisation. A financial crisis closed it in 2007 but popular pressure demanded its revival, and in 2008 the Council awarded the franchise to Firestation Arts.
In 2017 the franchise to run The Old Court was awarded to Martin Denny Management Ltd, returning to the original name and with the objective of continuinig to provide Windsor with a community arts centre.
In September 2025 The Old Court C.I.C. has an expanded Board of Directors, which includes Martin Denny, Lorna Pearson-Hall, Jack Douglas, Mark Wilson and Will Calvert. The Board’s objective is to build on the firm foundations built by Martin Denny Management over the past 8 years and capitalise on the fabulous opportunities that the space offers to our local communities to build a sustainable future for this much-loved venue.
