Louise Mitchell, CEO of Bristol Music Trust was an inspirational speaker and covered all aspects of the refurbishment of the Colston Hall. She also told us about the amazing music made by disabled students. The Bristol Music Trust and Bristol City Council are working together on the project and amongst other things they plan to:
- Remodel the existing main hall.
- Redevelop The Lantern (most of us knew this as “The Little Theatre”).
- Restore the Victorian foyer and include a restaurant on Colston Street side (the current restaurant will probably become a meetings area).
- Open up the historic cellars to create a third performance space and a dedicated music centre.
- Improve the stage and also have access for disabled artists.
- Install new comfortable seating, air conditioning, toilets and improving access throughout the building
- Improve the outside of the building on Colston Street.
An SI Bristol Club member said “I had no idea before Louise’s talk how much goes on behind the scenes at the Colston Hall or why it is an independent Trust. I was particularly impressed by the extent to which music education is involved. We are incredibly lucky to have this facility here in Bristol and we are also incredibly lucky to have someone like Louise who is so passionate about what will happen inside this wonderful building and the provision of music for all. A tremendous amount of thought and planning is going into giving us a fantastic venue”.