King George’s Hall: A New Chapter Begins
After more than a century at the heart of Blackburn’s cultural life, King George’s Hall is ready to welcome audiences back through its doors following a £13.5 million transformation.
The iconic Grade II listed venue has undergone its most significant investment since it first opened in 1921, with improvements designed to enhance the experience for audiences and performers while helping to safeguard the future of the much-loved building for generations to come.
Councillor Quesir Mahmood at King George’s Hall.
The official reopening will be marked by a special Grand Civic Reopening on Sunday, October 18, with the prestigious Hallé Orchestra performing as part of the celebrations.
The occasion provides an opportunity to look back at the remarkable history of King George’s Hall, while also looking ahead to what its next chapter could bring.
The venue first opened its doors on October 21, 1921, with almost 3,000 people attending the opening concert. More than a century later, it remains one of the region’s best-known entertainment venues and has welcomed some of the biggest names in music and entertainment, from Queen and The Beatles to David Bowie and, more recently, Liam Gallagher.
For generations of Blackburn residents, though, King George’s Hall has meant much more than the famous names who have performed there. It has been somewhere to enjoy concerts, comedy, theatre, family entertainment and community events, creating memories for audiences across the borough and beyond.
Now, following the £13.5 million investment, those experiences can continue in a venue that has been significantly upgraded for modern audiences.
The transformation includes improvements to the exterior of the historic building, new bars, better seating, upgraded bathrooms, enhanced accessibility and improved sound, with the work designed to improve experiences for both performers and visitors.
Councillor Quesir Mahmood, Deputy Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Executive Member for Growth and Development, said the borough was now on the “big countdown” to the reopening.
“We’re now officially on the big countdown to reopening the doors to King George’s Hall following its multi-million-pound transformation – and it is looking seriously impressive.
“There’s so much for our residents and visitors to look forward to, including this very special Grand Civic Reopening with the Hallé Orchestra and the special headline gig with The K’s.
“What makes the Hallé event particularly special is the incredible link to the hall’s remarkable history. The Hallé played at the official opening in 1921, so how fitting that almost 105 years later they will be back on stage to help us celebrate the start of this exciting new chapter.
“From one penny programmes to Star Wars and Skyfall, the Hallé’s return perfectly captures the transformation of King George’s Hall – celebrating its heritage while looking firmly to the future and we’re really keen to encourage young people to attend too, working hard to make the tickets affordable for all.”
The Grand Civic Reopening will reflect that desire to make the venue accessible to the whole community. Tickets have been priced at just £10 for adults and £5 for concessions, while children can attend for free. The event will be hosted by the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Mahfooz Hussain, who has also extended a special invitation to youngsters from his chosen charities, Derian House Children’s Hospice and Nightsafe.
With the refurbishment complete, King George’s Hall is returning to a busy programme of live entertainment, bringing together music, comedy, theatre and family shows over the coming months.
That programme is part of a wider ambition to strengthen Blackburn’s cultural offer and attract more visitors into the town centre.
Every year, King George’s Hall welcomes more than 100,000 visitors, and the council is determined to build on that figure, using the investment in the venue to support the town centre and wider nighttime economy.
Councillor Mahmood added:
“Every year, King George’s Hall welcomes more than 100,000 visitors and we are absolutely determined to build on that – bringing big names right here to our borough, while supporting our town centre and nighttime economy too.
“The reopening reinforces Blackburn’s growing cultural offer and strengthens the town’s reputation as a destination for arts, culture and live entertainment.
“Indeed, the investment at King George’s Hall is part of more than £50m of new investment in Blackburn’s Cultural Quarter, and we can’t wait to share more exciting news on that very soon too.
“For generations, it’s been a beacon for live entertainment, and we can’t wait to raise the curtain once again – the King is back!”
The investment in King George’s Hall is part of a wider transformation taking place across Blackburn’s Cultural Quarter, with more than £50 million of new investment helping to shape the borough’s cultural future.
