Music / News
Could Colston Hall become Nokia MixRadio Hall?
It’s an issue that rears its head every few years: should the Colston Hall change its name and stop its association with slave trader Edward Colston?
Despite Massive Attack refusing to play their home city’s largest venue because of its name, it’s a debate which has always been batted away by Colston Hall bosses.
But not this time, as major new redevelopment plans and a £40 million fundraising effort to achieve this, could lead to a change of name.
is needed now More than ever
Plans include a new auditorium, reworking of the original entrance, refurbishment of The Lantern and conversion of the historic cellars to new events space.
“We will be thinking very carefully about what we should call our new facility,” Colston Hall chief executive Louise Mitchell told the BBC.
“I think the time has come to do that and I think a time has come to put this matter to rest. I think we should be looking to enhance the cultural life of our city rather than harking back to things which clearly are reprehensible, which none of us can condone.”
If the name does change – and that’s still far from certain – the likelihood is that the venue will be named after a commercial sponsor.
Bristol Rovers are due to be playing in a couple of years time at the UWE Stadium. Perhaps we could one day see gigs at the Nokia MixRadio Hall.
This is not so far-fetched. Sponsorship brings big money and the venue already has a close association with Nokia MixRadio, based in Bristol, who last year branded it in a shade of pink.
Colston Hall may actually be named after the road it is on rather than the infamous slave trader, but that hasn’t stopped calls for a name change.
Colston was born into a prosperous Bristol merchant’s family. By 1672, he had his own business in London trading in cloth, wine, sugar and slaves.
He donated considerable sums to good causes in Bristol, founding two almshouses and a school and giving money to other schools, churches and hospitals.
The Colston Hall has been entertaining audiences in Bristol since 1867.
So what should it be called if not named after a sponsor?
Here are a few choices suggested by the good people of Facebook and Twitter:
Memorial Hall
Blackbeard Opera House
Mary Carpenter Hall
The Furnace
Bristol Concert Hall
The Brunel Centre
Elizabeth Blackwell Hall
Justin Lee Collins Playhouse
Harbourside Arena
Concorde Hall
George Ferguson Hall
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