West Midland Combined Authority puts £256,000 towards the redevelopment of Symphony Hall.

Working with arts charity Town Hall Symphony Hall, the investment will help fund the refurbishment of the foyer and the construction of a new entrance way.

The construction project extends and remodels Symphony Hall's public spaces – to create a building that is economically sustainable, vibrant and connected to Centenary Square and surrounding areas. The unveiling of the new foyer was marked by a Covid-safe performance by a group of top musicians.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands and former vice-chair of Performances Birmingham, which runs both Symphony Hall and the Town Hall, said: “Symphony Hall is one of the West Midlands’ best landmarks and a real jewel in Birmingham’s crown, and so it is brilliant to see the venue swing open its doors to musicians again after undergoing a stunning transformation.

“As a born-and-bred Brummie and former vice-chair of Performances Birmingham, I know first-hand just how truly special Symphony Hall is.

"I am therefore delighted that the WMCA could play its part in helping the transformation happen, and I cannot wait until the public can start taking their seats again.”

The project will create more than 528 jobs, 21 of which are due to the WMCA funding. Additionally, the project will deliver a further nine apprenticeships.

Originally designed by the Percy Thomas Partnership and Renton Howard Wood Levin in the late 1980s, the 3,000 capacity Birmingham Symphony Hall opened in 1991.

The funding announcement from the WMCA is the latest signal to the market that the region is continuing to use its brownfield site investment to support economic and cultural recovery following the pandemic.

Councillor Mike Bird, WMCA portfolio holder for housing and land and leader of Walsall Council, added: “Symphony Hall is an outstanding cultural landmark that has long been a defining part of the heritage and culture not just for Birmingham but all the people of the West Midlands. The refurbishment works and public realm improvements mark a new era for the hall.

“This has been a challenging time for the live music sector and the arts more widely but Symphony Hall will open safely once again, welcoming people from near and far back into this exciting new space.”