Colston Hall redevelopment gets green light
- Details
The redevelopment of the venue includes refurbishing its historic facade, remodelling and upgrading the Main Hall and The Lantern, and utilising the Victorian cellars as a third performance space and education suite with classrooms and a technology lab.
Bristol Music Trust, the organisation that runs Colston Hall, and Bristol City Council have selected construction company Willmott Dixon as preferred contractor. Work will start in June and the new Hall is expected to re-open in 2020, with the Foyer set to stay open throughout the transformation.
Louise Mitchell, chief executive of Bristol Music Trust, comments: “Now our plans have been approved we’ve reached the final milestone as we approach the start of the Hall’s transformation. We are incredibly grateful for the hard work and dedication of our partners and supporters who have got us to this stage.
“The Hall hasn’t been updated since it opened in the 1950s, so it’s long overdue a transformational refurbishment that will give Bristol and the South West a world class venue to be proud of as we make our detailed plans a reality.”
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, adds: “Bristol has an internationally-renowned cultural offer, which also makes a major contribution to the local economy. We are really pleased that the Arts Council has committed this funding alongside our own investment and that of other city partners.”
Over £41m has been raised towards the project through financial pledges that include £10m from Bristol City Council, £5m from HM Treasury, £10m from Arts Council England, £4.75m from the Heritage Lottery Fund, £5m from the West of England Combined Authority and support from local donors and Trusts and Foundations.
A public giving campaign launched late last year has raised over £200,000 to date. It called on Bristolians to help secure the next 150 years of the Hall by naming a seat for as little as £5 per month.
(Jim Evans)
