Historic music venue highly commended at awards

Blur played the first gig at the revamped venue in May 2023

The £48m revamp of a Wolverhampton music venue has been highly commended in an awards programme.

In recognition of the transformation of the 85-year-old Civic Hall, the project was a finalist in the Constructing Excellence West Midlands Awards 2024.

The Grade II-listed venue - now known as The Halls Wolverhampton - reopened in May 2023 following the multi-million pound scheme.

Council leader Stephen Simkins said the honour "came on the back of excellent feedback during the first year of the new-look Halls from artists, managers, agents, promoters and ticket holders".

The venue underwent a major upgrade

As part of the upgrade, the size of the stage was increased, and more seating, bars and social space were added.

There was also lift access to new viewing balconies, better access arrangements for disabled visitors and a new air conditioning system, the council said.

The venue has a capacity of more than 3,000 people and operates alongside sister site, the 1,289-capacity The Wulfrun.

Both are providing a major uplift to the city centre economy, hosting leading music and entertainment performers, as well as business events and conferences, the council reports.

“The council demonstrated bold and ambitious thinking to take this very challenging project on and because of our efforts we landed a 25-year lease with world-class operator to run the venue," Mr Simkins said.

“This well-deserved Constructing Excellence honour comes on the back of excellent feedback during the first year of the new-look Halls from artists, managers, agents, promoters and ticket holders – helping raise the city’s national and international profile.

“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."