Symphony Hall revamp showcased in new images
New CGI images have revealed what a £12m revamp of Birmingham’s Symphony Hall would look like.
Performances Birmingham Ltd, which runs the concert venue, has submitted plans for the facelift to Birmingham City Council.
It is hoped the ‘modest’ extension would help generate more money amid proposals from the authority to reduce grants to the arts sector by £1m a year.
The plans would see the current wall facing Centenary Square demolished to make way for a new glass facade with a dedicated entrance to Symphony Hall as opposed to the one inside The International Convention Centre (ICC).
While the extra space would accommodate new bars, corporate hospitality suites, learning and education spaces with the box office to be relocated.
Toilets and cloakrooms would also be improved.
It is hoped the project can be completed in time to host the Conservative Party Conference in 2020, although the plans stated that the venue will remain open during the construction period.
Symphony Hall was officially opened in 1991.
It was originally referred to as Hall 2 and not known for being a special performance venue.
Designers Page \ Park Architects, which have come up with the new scheme, stated that the venue lacks its own identity ‘within the monochrome and corporate feeling circulation and public spaces’ of the ICC.
They also described the current foyers as ‘tired’ and in need of a ‘refresh’.
The architects said: “Like most cultural organisations Performances Birmingham are seeking ways to increase their financial resilience in the face of reductions in public subsidy – they need to make the building work harder to make more money.
“Currently the foyers of the Symphony Hall only really work in performance mode, leaving a lot of time when the foyers are underused.
“A key objective of the project is to activate the foyers spaces outside performance hours – to bring daytime activity through an enhanced learning and participation programme and an expanded concert and event programme, increase spend on bars and catering, and provide rentable spaces for hospitality and corporate events.”
They added: “With its transparent glazed façade offering views into the foyers full of visible activity – stacked from café to children’s performance to corporate event – it is intended that the new foyers assist Performance Birmingham Ltd to grow their audience to both increase their financial resilience and reflect the rich diversity of the city.”
Symphony Hall announced the £12m development titled ‘Making an Entrance’ earlier this year.
While in recent weeks the city council went out to consultation on its plans to make £18m worth of fresh cuts next year.
One proposal is to reduce arts grants by one third to save £1m.
A host of organisations are set to lose out including Symphony Hall the Town Hall, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Birmingham Repertory Theatre among others.
The council stated: “It will be for the major cultural organisations to manage the implications of a reduced grant.
“It is likely that audience development and outreach programmes will be reduced, there will be a reduction in artistic development for new productions and a potential increase to ticket prices.”
The council’s savings proposals are yet to be formally approved.
By Carl Jackson
Local Democracy Reporter
