Venue holds last concert ahead of £3.6m revamp

The Halls is to be closed for about a year for structural and redesign work

A Grade I listed city centre venue has held its last concert ahead of closing for a £3.6m refurbishment.

The Halls in Norwich, which includes the medieval friary complex St Andrews and Blackfriars Hall, needs structural work to its roof, stained glass windows and secondary glazing.

It will also receive a major redesign, a revamp of its outside space and new audio visual equipment and lighting.

The project was made possible due to Norwich City Council's successful bid to the government's Town Deal scheme in 2020.

The venue can hold up to 1,000 people had hosts Norwich's annual beer festival

The council-owned venue dates back to the 14th Century and has been used regularly for civic events since 1544, when the first mayor's feast was held for the inauguration of Henry Fuller.

It can hold about 1,000 people and hosts private and public events, including concerts and Norwich's annual beer festival.

The council said the project was part of its effort to broaden the cultural activities on offer in the city after The Halls reopens in about spring 2025.

The final, pre-renovation event was a New Year's Day concert from the Norwich Pops Orchestra.