Latest news with #AcademyMusicGroup
BBC News
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Newcastle City Hall revamp plans approved by council
Newcastle City Hall is to be revamped to help the venue "regain its former glory".Plans to refurbish the Grade II listed building, which include a new balcony-level bar, were given the green light by the Academy Music Group and Live Nation said the work was needed to put the venue "firmly back on the touring acts' schedule", with planning documents warning it had "not moved with the times" and was being overlooked by major new bar will be built in a disused section of the adjoining City Baths building, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The venue opened in 1927 and has hosted acts including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. 'Here to stay' Newcastle City Baths, which is also Grade II listed, reopened in 2021 after being closed for eight years as part council cost-cutting measures."Utilising an area of the baths, which was falling into disrepair, and taking away the financial burden that has on the baths will help the future of the swimming baths as a going concern," the planning application said. "It will help both City Hall and the baths, in equal measure, in providing a first-class service to its customers and ensuring these important city assets are here to stay."Existing doors, partition walls, historic panelling and masonry, and a spiral staircase will be removed as part of the Labour-led council said the redesign would "undoubtedly cause a degree of harm to the existing character and appearance" of the planners approved proposals and said connecting the disused section of the baths into the City Hall would "bring the building closer to being used in its entirety, ensuring a future for the asset". Follow BBC Newcastle on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A major Cardiff building is set to remain closed for three years
It's been closed for more than 18 months and now Cardiff Council has issued an update on St David's Hall. The popular city centre classical music venue was shut in September 2023 after the council found that the building contained a type of lightweight concrete prone to sudden failures as it ages called reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). Academy Music Group (AMG), which operates music venues across the country, has signed an agreement for a lease to run St David's Hall and details are being finalised for that now. The re-opening of the venue has stalled and been put back a number of times over the years. At the last update earlier this year it had been expected to re-open in autumn or winter 2026. For the latest Cardiff news, sign up to our newsletter here. READ MORE: Boy, 16, dies in Barry Island Pleasure Park tragedy as police launch investigation READ MORE: Council crews to search bins and hand £70 fines to rule-breakers Now, the council has said that the hoped for re-opening date has been put back to 2027. But the good news is that planning permission was granted recently to carry out the necessary work so it is looking positive. A council spokesperson said: 'Planning permission has recently been granted for the necessary renovation work to St David's Hall. "This is an important step towards the council's goal of seeing the building re-opened to the public. Details of the lease agreement with AMG are now in the process of being finalised, so that work can begin as soon as possible. "Once work has begun it is expected to take in the region of 18 months to complete. Subject to any unforeseen issues, St David's Hall could re-open in early 2027." St David's Hall is the usual venue for the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World which was postponed to 2027 after it closed. It is hoped the venue will be ready to open and host the event for that. Meanwhile there is also an update on the other iconic Cardiff building also shut by Raac - City Hall. The 120-year-old building will cost up to £69m to restore to modern standards, it has been revealed. The building has been also been closed since October 2023. Council officials have been drawing up a plan to fund and carry out the refurbishment the 1906 building needs. The historic hall was used to host events as well as for office space, council functions and as meetings rooms for councillors. Options from a "do minimum" refurbishment bill of £29m to the full cost £69m including a full maintenance backlog and creating modern office space has been looked at. The impressive Edwardian building, opened by Lord Bute, has marble floors and statues of famous Welsh historic figures. The doors were closed in October 2023 after the problems with the heating, electrics and asbestos worsened. Councillors were told in a report in May 2024 that the original hope had been to re-open the building by that same month, but the work was too large. Issues with the heating system and work to remove asbestos would not be complete until the end of 2025 and the building would not re-open until early 2026, councillors were told. Now, a fresh update and details of how the plans are progressing are due to go before cabinet, the council said. A spokesperson said: "Work on City Hall is progressing well and the building is expected to reopen next year, once work is complete. A full update on progress will be provided to Cabinet in due course." The council was unable to give an exact date for when that progress report would be out.
