Bristol Music Trust’s two-year project will remodel the Main Hall and the Lantern, and the extensive cellars will be opened up for the first time, creating a new intimate performance space and modern education suite.  Once completed in 2020, the venue will be able to welcome 35% more people, with an extra 50 full-time jobs.

Fab Four memories

Colston Hall has a rich and varied history.  The Beatles incident happened during the last gig of the Beatles UK tour on 10 November 1964, when local students accessed the lighting gantry and tipped bags of flour over their heads.  The suffragette incident took place in 1909.

“Colston Hall is a landmark site in Bristol which is famous for its musical heritage."

Nerys Watts, Head of HLF South West, said:  “Colston Hall is a landmark site in Bristol which is famous for its musical heritage, having hosted numerous entertainment ‘greats’, including Duke Ellington and Jimi Hendrix.”

Tales of the city

The renovations are thanks to a just-announced £4.8million National Lottery grant, which will also fund permanent displays in the hall, giving audiences a new insight into the central role it has played in Bristol life for over 150 years

Call to action!

A public-giving campaign, launched in 2017, is ongoing and donors will receive a plaque on their chosen seat with the dedication of their choice ready for when the transformed hall re-opens.