Blackburn King George's Hall's £8m revamp is all systems go

Preparatory works have paved the way for the main contractors to start on the main project to refurbish East Lancashire's premier entertainment venue from Monday.

Measures will begin in the yard to the left of the 103-year-old building to widen the entrance, making vehicle access easier.

A brick wall will be removed, gateway pillars will be relocated, and a new gate installed.

In the coming weeks, further works in the boiler house will take place, including the replacement of the flat roof which was given planning approval in May.

These works will be undertaken over the hall's quieter summer period and completed by the end of September well in time for its annual winter pantomime.

No road closures will be needed during these works.

Council leader Phil Riley welcomed the start of the work (Image: BWDC)

The first phase will also include exploratory works, which will inform future phases involving the building’s heating, lighting and ventilation systems, along with internal improvements and enhancements.

The facelift at the Grade II listed building is a key element of the development of Blackburn’s £50 million Cultural and Leisure Quarter.

The historic building, owned by Blackburn with Darwen Council has hosted some of the greatest acts in musical history, including Queen, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and David Bowie.

The works starting next week are the first phase of a programme of repairs and renovations at the hall which are intended to bring it back to the grandeur it held upon its opening in 1921.

Councillor Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "Blackburn with Darwen successfully secured £20m of funding under the last government, which is a significant investment to support our town centre growth priorities.

"We were delighted to receive £8m specifically for King George’s Hall, the jewel in the crown of Blackburn’s cultural quarter and a venue that many people, from the borough and beyond, feel a strong connection to.

"Like many historic buildings, King George’s Hall is in desperate need of repairs and upgrades, both internally and externally.

"Retaining the building’s character and charm is at the forefront of the renovations while making the venue fit for a prosperous future.

"Future phases will see renovation of the bar areas, seating, toilets and improvements to the heating and ventilation systems, which we know King George’s Hall audiences are keen to see."

Martin Eden, the council's environment director, added: "The summer is generally a quieter time for King George’s Hall, so we’ve scheduled phase one of the works during this period to minimise disruption to audiences, performers and agents.

"The venue will be open for the busy autumn season and into the festive period which means that panto fans will not be disappointed as the popular annual panto production will be back as usual in December – this year it’s the classic fairytale Cinderella."

The renovation of the Blakey Moor Terrace building opposite the hall is now complete and ready for prospective operators to view its flagship restaurant space.

Other projects in Blackburn town centre financed by the government's Levelling Up grants include the refurbishment of the nearby Tony’s Ballroom, and the redevelopment of The Exchange Building.

But the council's town centre regeneration plans suffered a blow when the Ribblesdale Tap pub in Blakey Moor opposite King George’s Hall closed last month.

The bar in a historic building formerly home to the Ribblesdale Hotel, Gladstone's and Baroque Bar had been open for just eight months

King George's Hall is also home to Akbar's restaurant which opened in its former Blakey's Bar in March.

The nearby Victoria Building of Blackburn College is also currently undergoing a £25m renovation and modernisation.