Day of celebration as Bristol Beacon reopens to the public

The doors of Bristol Beacon are at last being flung open, for the first time in five years.

The 156-year old building has undergone a £132m transformation since it closed its doors in 2018, in the hopes of becoming one of the most significant cultural venues in the UK and the world.

Bristol Beacon will now boast four transformed world-class performance spaces with state-of-the-art acoustics, and a new music education centre in the previously inaccessible cellars.

The Lantern façade, which holds one of a just a few remaining examples of Bristol Byzantine architecture in the city, has also been restored, with a new restaurant called the Colonnade, due to open soon.

Chief executive Louise Mitchell said the new building would make the building a “stage for everyone”.

The opening day will be marked by celebration, with an opening night performance of ‘Trip the Light Fantastic’, by Bristol-based Paraorchestra in collaboration with electronic composer Surgeons Girl and AV experts, Limbic Cinema.

Louise Mitchell says the newly-renovated Bristol Beacon will be a venue “for everyone” – photo: Ellie Pipe

The venue is also hosting a housewarming party on Saturday, which is free for anyone to attend, and runs from day-to-night, with over 60 acts performing.

Bristol Beacon’s long-standing music programme will resume, featuring international artists from across the musical spectrum, including Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra and Penguin Cafe.

Speaking about the transformation, Louise Mitchell said: “The skill, hard work and love poured into this huge refurbishment has resulted in one of the best and most accessible performance and music education spaces in Europe.

“What excites all of us here is the potential of the new Bristol Beacon, which will allow us to continue delivering transformative musical moments to all Bristolians.

The Lantern Hall, Lantern foyer, Beacon Hall and the cellars have all been transformed into new spaces – photo: Soul Media

“From weekly one to one opportunities for care experienced young people, to sessions with those living with dementia, in hospitals, in community halls and in 92 per cent of Bristol’s schools, for 7,000 hours of music lessons a week.

“It all comes back to this building – it is our engine, it is our home, it’s Bristol’s stage for everyone.”

The historic building has faced a myriad of challenges since construction work began five years ago, including questions faced by council and Beacon bosses around the spiralling costs of the transformation.

It is hoped the transformation will allow the venue to deliver over 800 events a year, generating an estimated £13m annually to the economy.

Some of the biggest contributors and supporters to the project include Bristol Music Trust, the charity that runs the hall, Bristol City Council, Arts Council England, the UK Government, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, WECA and Bristol Water.

Over 9,000 individuals have also made one off donations to the transformation project, with contributions ranging from £5 a month as a seat namer up to a £1m gift.

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read next:

• Things you probably didn’t know about Bristol Beacon
• Bristol Beacon: ‘A venue for everyone in the city’
• Bristol Beacon to celebrate refurbished space with free house party

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