Arts Council England (ACE) has approved the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s second stage application to its Capital Investment Programme, and awarded £7.5 million towards the £12 million refurbishment of the Grade II*- listed Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.
Having successfully applied for seed funding of £634,000 from ACE in 2012, Liverpool Philharmonic appointed architects Caruso St. John to lead a team in developing the designs for the refurbishment of the 1939 concert hall, which is the home of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and one of the UK’s premier arts and entertainment venues. 2014 is the 75th anniversary of the current Hall opening its doors.
Liverpool City Council (LCC) had also approved a £2 million capital contribution to the refurbishment of the LCC-owned building, subject to Liverpool Philharmonic securing the second stage investment from ACE.
Having also raised a sum of close to £1 million from a range of other private sources, Liverpool Philharmonic must now raise a further £1 million which will include the launch of a public giving campaign in September.
Designs for the refurbishment to Liverpool Philharmonic Hall provide:
- significant improvements to front of house areas and facilities for all visitors and participants including the foyer, box office, bars and catering, toilets and lift access to all levels of the building
- rebuilding and improving the stage and choir performance areas in the auditorium
- new warm-up, practice and backstage facilities for resident and visiting musicians and artists
- an exciting new performance space for a range of small-scale concerts, learning events and other activities
- increased environmental sustainability, including the ability to reduce power consumption across the building’s utilities.
Liverpool Philharmonic will commence works to the Hall in spring 2014, with the venue undergoing a period of closure from 24 May until the end of October 2014.
The full programme of works will be completed during 2015, the 175th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. Liverpool Philharmonic is currently planning artistic activity during the closure period and details will be announced shortly.
Alison Clark-Jenkins, Director North, Arts Council England, said: “Our award brings the refurbishment of Liverpool Philharmonic Hall closer to being realised. This development promises to be a great example of how we can invest in the improvement of existing and much-loved buildings to make them more sustainable for the future while at the same time enhancing the experience for artists and audiences.”
Joe Anderson OBE, Mayor of Liverpool said: “Liverpool Philharmonic Hall is a world-famous cultural institution and I am delighted that Arts Council England has backed it with this funding. The refurbishment will give a new lease of life to this much-loved building, enabling it to be enjoyed by generations to come. I am delighted the city council has been able to support this important project.”
Lorraine Rogers, Chairman of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic said: “This award is fantastic news and we are immensely grateful to both Arts Council England and Liverpool City Council for their support. We have made another major step forward in our plans for the refurbishment of our home that will enhance one of Liverpool’s great buildings and will enable us to cherish and protect it for future generations. Our priority now is to raise the remaining £1 million of investment we need.”
