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More than 380k visit Bristol Beacon in first year

Bristol Beacon Ezra Collective saxophonist playing in the crowd of its gig at the Bristol Beacon.Bristol Beacon
Ezra Collective were among the many artists to perform at the Bristol Beacon in the first year since a huge revamp

Bosses at a revamped concert hall say it attracted a record number of visitors in its first year since a £132m transformation.

The Bristol Beacon reopened in November 2023 after a five-year revamp, with more than 380,000 people visiting since.

That was a 25% increase on the year before the works started in 2018, when it was known as Colston Hall.

Simon Wales, the venue's chief executive, said at a first anniversary event on Sunday that the venue is "firmly back on the map".

More than 500 artists have performed across the venue's four areas since 30 November 2023 when it reopened, and more than 6,000 people went to the BBC Proms which was in Bristol for the first time.

Among the improvements were an increased 2,100-capacity main hall, two further performance spaces and better accessibility.

Other improvements included adding production capacity so larger tours can visit the city.

Soul Media Dozens of people in colourful T-shirts stand on a stage at the Bristol Beacon, linking hands as they salute the audience who are applauding in the backgroundSoul Media
More than 500 different artists have performed at the venue since it reopened
Bristol Beacon Jamz Supernova is pictured standing over decks interacting with fans, smiling broadly and leaning over to shake hands with a fan.Bristol Beacon
BBC Radio 6 presenter Jamz Supernova played in its new venue in the cellar

The five-year project was nearly three times over budget and took three years longer to complete than planned, due to the building teams finding unexpected complications on the site, inflation and the coronavirus pandemic.

Bristol City Council, which owns the building, is shouldering most of the increase and has taken out a 50-year loan to cover the redevelopment, something which has been criticised by opposition councillors.

Bristol Beacon Lots of people sitting in a circle in a workshop at the Bristol Beacon. There are soft mats in the centre with children playing, people waving silk scarves and others with instruments. Bristol Beacon
The Bristol Beacon has also held many workshops and teaching activities

Built on the site of Colston's boys' school in 1867, the venue hosted everyone from Russian pianist Rachmaninoff to the Rolling Stones, The Beatles and Robbie Williams in its first 150 years.

At its anniversary on Sunday, the team thanked audience members and artists for a "successful" first year back.

Mr Wales said "We built this venue to be full of music, music-making and visitors having transformational experiences, the kind that only music can provide.

"It is wonderful to see the venue living up to this promise, welcoming record audiences, concerts on almost every day of the week and attracting musicians of the highest calibre to our city."

Soul Media A DJ performs for the crowd in a gig at the Bristol Beacon cellars. They are viewed from behind lookout out to the crowd, who are lit up by spotlightsSoul Media
The Bristol Beacon's cellars, once off limits to the public, are now a new performance space

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