News / Arts
Green light for St George’s regeneration
Plans have been approved for a £5.5 million expansion and regeneration of one of Bristol’s best loved live music venues.
St George’s has been given the green light for a new extension to the side of the 1820s former church.
The plans will create new facilities on the Great George Street site (a stone’s throw from Park Street) including a brand new café-bar, additional teaching rooms and rehearsal spaces.
After councillors voted to approve the plans, Suzanne Rolt, chief executive of St George’s, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Bristol City Council has granted planning permission, confirming its support for our Building a Sound Future project. We can now push forward with our ambitious plans to extend the building and transform the experience for all visitors to St George’s.
“This news will give confidence to the funding bodies who have already pledged their support as well as help attract further supporters to come forward to secure the remaining £1.8 million needed to realise our vision.
“This is an important milestone in a meticulously planned project that is now just two years away from completion – in October 2017 we will unveil a new-look St George’s that will secure the hall’s future and provide a thrilling addition to Bristol’s cultural landscape.”
The project is being funded through donations to St George’s, which is a charity. The venue has raised £3.65 million for the project to date, and is hoping to raise a further £1.86 million from major donors and charitable trusts.
Work can begin when the full £5.5 million has been raised. The trust hopes to complete the work by the end of October 2017.
The venue famous for its world-class acoustics is working with Bristol-based artist Luke Jerram, the man behind the Park Street water slide, who has designed an sculpture to hang in the main foyer of the extension.
