Britpop legends, Blur, officially reopened the iconic halls to a sell out crowd at the end of last month.
It came after a vital multi million pound refurbishment completed by City of Wolverhampton 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.
Ian Huffam, Agent – X-ray Touring, representing Blur, said: “I was concerned the Civic would lose its heart and soul following its extensive restoration. Do not be concerned, this is a thorough, sympathetic modernisation of a classic English concert hall.
“Congratulations to the local authority for having the fortitude and vision, to the venue staff for their ongoing commitment and to AEG for their contribution and tasteful fit out.”
Tickets for the summer Opening Season remain on sale and are selling fast, with a host of incredible acts coming to the new 3,404-capacity ‘The Civic at The Halls Wolverhampton’ and 1,289 capacity ‘The Wulfrun at The Halls Wolverhampton’.
Legendary magicians Penn & Teller and music stars The Script, James Bay and The Vamps are just some of the performers who have so far attracted thousands of visitors to the city centre venue.
Investment in The Halls is part of a masterplan for the city centre to improve visitor economy. This includes extensive public realm improvement works that have now been completed on Victoria Street and North Street as part of a £22million package of investment in the west of the city centre.
The scheme has created better public spaces that will attract more visitors and enable businesses to thrive and grow through a blended approach of retail supported by events and activities in quality public spaces and city centre living.
Further improvement works to come in the west of the city centre include the development of a new Box Space entertainment venue - set to open just off Victoria Street in 2024.
Wolverhampton Art Gallery is also thriving after recent investment, which included the creation of a new eating space ‘Glaze’ – and the gallery is set to benefit from better connectivity through additional public realm works on Lichfield Street.
As well as hosting leading music and entertainment performers, The Halls Wolverhampton will stage business events and conferences. It will attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city, boosting the local economy by £10million annually. Local businesses are also benefitting, new employment opportunities are being created and it is raising the city’s national and international profile.
City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for Visitor City, Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, said: “The positive feedback we have received about the new-look halls since it reopened makes all the hard work and difficult decisions worthwhile.
“Working closely with the new operator, AEG Presents, the venue’s rich heritage has been preserved and our vision of reimagining an iconic institution that will continue to bring joy to the lives of locals – and city visitors - for years to come has been realised.
“It will play a key part in shaping our city centre and we are already beginning to see the creation of new jobs and the boost to businesses we expected.
“There is still lots of work to do but we are seeing growing confidence in the city through more private sector investment. There is strong potential for the delivery of a quality hotel offer and we are working with partners to entice more private sector food and beverage provision.”
To keep up with the latest information on The Halls Wolverhampton and to register for updates visit The Halls Wolverhampton.
