COMMENT: A world class Wolverhampton Civic Hall would transform city
Councillor John Reynolds, council cabinet member for city economy, explains why the Civic Hall is essential to the future of Wolverhampton
Tonight, the council’s cabinet is set to approve plans to transform the Civic Halls.
Yes, there have been delays. Yes, the 80-year-old building needs more work and money than planned.
But the bottom line is that this magical, much-loved Grade II-listed venue desperately needs the major investment we are making to restore it to its former glory.
There’s no alternative. So, acknowledging the past, it’s now time to move on, let history be history, and look to the future.
A new phase in the history of the Civic starts in a matter of weeks.
After months of asbestos clearance, the full £38 million restoration and improvement programme will begin alongside the structural, mechanical, electrical and engineering work, transforming the halls into a world-class venue.
Not only will it be a venue for the very best rock, pop, comedy and sporting events – it will make a huge contribution to the local economy.
Consultants who are experts in their field have forecast the economic benefit of the new halls.
They’ve reported it will generate £7.6 million a year for the city and support 548 jobs.
The new venue will also bring in at least 10,000 more visitors a year.
And the customer experience they will get will be superb with bigger and better acts, better seats and views, better bars, better public spaces, better toilet facilities, better accessibility and better temperature control.
Cities like ours need world-class venues, indeed they are part of the DNA of our city.
You could argue they make us a city. Places like Bristol and Derby are also making big investments – Bristol’s Colston Hall has a £40 million price tag.
They, like us, make this investment because a world-class entertainment offer is essential to the competitiveness and success of city centres. That’s why our investment is essential.
We all know that city and town centres up and down the country are struggling.
That’s why the Civic Halls are so important. It’s a big part of how we are re-imagining and re-inventing our city centre.
We want great connectivity to get people here, great public spaces that encourage people to linger longer, great new city centre homes that bring new customers to our businesses and a great leisure and sporting offer that brings fans from far and wide.
It is essential we have a vibrant public events programme and outstanding arts and culture offer enticing new audiences and visitors.
And, finally, we need a thriving commercial district with well-paid jobs and executives who spend time and money in the city centre.
This isn’t just a ‘pie-in-the-sky’ vision – these things are happening now. They are part of a co-ordinated, groundswell of £1 billion investment on site or planned across the city centre.
In the Civic Halls our city is creating a world-class venue that will put us on the map globally.
It will bring lasting economic and social benefits to us all.
It is time be bold and ambitious and to switch our energy to building up our city rather than trying to knock it down.
