The Halls Wolverhampton burst back into life as Britpop legends Blur marked the official reopening of the iconic venue with a sell-out show. Thousands of music fans revelled in the sunshine in the new-look space outside The Halls - where major investment by City of Wolverhampton Council has improved the public realm.
They then poured through the doors to take in the multi-million-pound refurbishment completed by the Council and new venue operators, AEG Presents, that will ensure the Grade II-listed halls remain part of the city’s fabric for generations to come. It kick-starts an Opening Season of shows that will grace the new 3,404-capacity ‘The Civic at The Halls Wolverhampton’ and 1,289-capacity ‘The Wulfrun at The Halls Wolverhampton’.
Following extensive and critical construction work undertaken by the Council, AEG Presents led on internal renovations to the front of house bars, kitchen, sound and lights systems, creating a venue that offers both the very best facilities, as well as first-rate acoustics and musical line-ups. Overall, visitors will continue to enjoy more comfortable seats, a greater number of bars and enhanced space to socialise, expanded and revamped toilet facilities, lift access for those viewing from the new balcony level, better access arrangements for disabled visitors (including enhanced wheelchair access), a greater number of accessible viewing points and improved room temperatures through the installation of a new air handling system.
The iconic venue will host leading music and entertainment performers, as well as business events and conferences. It will attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city, boosting the local economy by £10million annually. Plans will also benefit local businesses, as well as create new employment opportunities, raising the city’s national and international profile.
City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor Stephen Simkins, said: “It was privilege to be at the official reopening concert on Friday and what an amazing night it was.
“To see The Halls open again and packed to the rafters with an incredible atmosphere was a very special moment for everyone who’s been involved in the transformation of this incredible venue.” Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, the council’s Cabinet Member for Visitor City, added: “These are such exciting times, and the reopening of The Halls is just the start.
“As we saw when Blur opened The Halls, people will flock to Wolverhampton to enjoy the best live entertainment available. It will help reinvigorate the city centre, not only creating jobs and boosting businesses and the local economy but making Wolverhampton an attractive visitor destination for people across the region and country, as well as our residents.”
