King George’s Hall back in action after £13.5m makeover

King George’s Hall is back in business after its £13.5m transformation, with audiences welcomed through the doors for the first show since the work was completed.

Blackburn People’s Choir staged a special sell-out performance at the venue on Monday night, billed originally as a test event, and more than 450 tickets were sold. An overflow area was also needed, with donations raised for Blackburn Foodbank.

The choir was joined by singers from South Lakes Acapella, the Ordsall Acapella Singers and Gathered Voices, under Musical Director Jeff Borradaile. The audience also joined in for a rendition of Coldplay’s Fix You near the end of the concert.

Ann Parker, Secretary of Blackburn People’s Choir, said: “We were all absolutely blown away.

“From thinking we’d be performing to a small group of perhaps 30 people to selling out 450 tickets and even having an overflow, what a special night it was.

“To be the first to officially perform on the stage at King George’s Hall was just incredible and looking out over all the changes and improvements and so many happy faces was brilliant.”

She said the choir, which first formed almost 30 years ago, had worked hard on the charity event, with more than 150 singers on stage.

The Red Rosettes Show Chorus also performed, opening the second half with a barbershop set.

Visitors were among the first to see the venue’s new entrance area, extended bars, improved seating and upgraded washroom facilities. The investment also included a new roof, new windows, improved heating and air conditioning, and decorating throughout.

Quesir Mahmood, Deputy Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Executive Member for Growth and Development, said: “What a special moment to see the doors to King George’s Hall officially back open.

“We are incredibly grateful to Darwen School of Music for hosting a test event at the weekend to put the hall through its paces and to Blackburn People’s Choir for hosting the first official, ticketed show.

“King George’s Hall is back, and it really is looking better than ever, having benefited from more investment than it has seen since it first officially opened back in 1921.

“It’s such an iconic and much-loved venue – for our borough and the whole region – and this transformation will help safeguard its future, protecting it for many more generations to come.

“We can’t wait to welcome more people through the doors to enjoy all there is to offer with an exciting line-up for this autumn.”

King George’s Hall has been at the heart of the region’s cultural life for more than a century, with artists including Queen, The Beatles and David Bowie among those to have played there, as well as Liam Gallagher and Florence + The Machine more recently.

Blackburn People’s Choir will return to the venue in November for the Mayor’s Remembrance Concert.

What’s on next includes James B Partridge’s Primary School Bangers tour, Luther Live, Jason Donovan and a sold-out show by The K’s, who are set to headline the venue’s official reopening. Tim Peake is also on the bill.

October will also include a Civic Grand Reopening with the Hallé Orchestra, along with performances by David Essex, The Proclaimers, Jimmy Nail, Fleetwood Bac and Michael Starring Ben, plus a new panto at Christmas.

You can view the full programme and buy tickets now.

Councillor Mahmood said the hall welcomes more than 100,000 visitors a year and that the council wants to build on that, supporting the town centre and nighttime economy. He also said the investment is part of more than £50m of new investment in Blackburn’s Cultural Quarter.

Blackburn People’s Choir is open to new members, with more details available on its website or by emailing enquiries@blackburnpeopleschoir.org.