Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall to have £2m repairs

Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall is home to the UK’s oldest continuing professional symphony orchestra, as well as a renowned choir

Liverpool’s historic Philharmonic Hall is to undergo major repairs estimated at about £2m.

The city council, which owns the grade II listed art deco building, has agreed to provide an initial loan of £1m.

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society (RLPS), which rents the Hope Street landmark on a 100-year lease from the council, hopes fundraising activities can bring in the same amount.

The Philharmonic Hall is home to the UK’s oldest continuing professional symphony orchestra as well as a renowned choir.

Liverpool City Council said it only approved the 40-year loan after the RLPS presented a "robust" business case.

The local authority noted that the charity "also has other funding sources which it will utilise alongside the loan".

The council said the loan would "satisfy the conditions of [an] Arts Council grant which requires additional funding to come from a public-sector body".

The total cost of the repairs could ultimately reach £2.25m.

The council said it would need full evidence that any further cash was “absolutely necessary" to complete the renovations.

The loan will start to be repaid next year, and there is an option for RLPS to clear it sooner if deemed "practicable”.