Bristol Beacon’s doors reopened last night, after a £132m revamp, with Bristol Music Trust’s CEO Louise Mitchell calling the venue a “centre for music, creativity and joy”.
The reopening show featured a “dynamic audio-visual collision of sound and light” with a musical score composed by Charles Hazlewood and Surgeons Girl, and performed by the Bristol-based Paraorchestra, combined with a light show provided by the Limbic Cinema.
According to the Beacon’s artistic director, Todd Wills, the Paraorchestra stands for “the spirit of inclusion and reinvention that we cherish in this city”.
Louise Mitchell stressed during her opening speech that “you’re all welcome here, tonight and every night”.
The venue has undergone a number of improvements such as a lift to the upper floors to grant all visitors and artists full access to all spaces.
Other key features that make the Bristol Beacon “one of Europe’s flagship venues”, as Phil Gibby, Arts Council England South West area director, called it, include:
- increased capacity from 1,900 to 2,124
- adjustable stage
- additional balcony for better sight and sound
- modern heating and cooling systems
- improved comfort in terms of seat sizes and leg room
- accessible cellars that are home to Bristol Water Sound Studios, a music education centre that is to work with 30,000 each year
Here we go… 🤩 #TripTheLightFantastic@Paraorchestra #SurgeonsGirl@LimbicCinema #AllTogetherNow pic.twitter.com/zdsy5kVSlU
— Bristol Beacon (@Bristol_Beacon) November 30, 2023
However, despite all the efforts that were put into the transformation of what used to be Colston Hall, critical voices keep being raised at the final cost of £132 million that were spent on the project.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris described the cost overrun as “unfortunate”, but pointed out the role that the Bristol Beacon will play “in the West of England’s cultural life for years to come”.
Plus Temple Meads Arena otherwise known as #Bristol Arena was actually £100M. But typically Marvin Rees and his version Labour add £60M to exaggerate. Bristol Beacon revamp was planned before Marvin came to power. Marvin turned up today for photos as usual https://t.co/92gwLovjnn
— Bristol People (@Bristol_People) November 21, 2023
Bristol Beacon is estimated to generate around £13 million through 800 events per year.
The reopening celebrations will continue on Saturday with a free day-to-night housewarming party.
