AEG agrees 25-year deal to run Wolves Civic Hall
AEG Presents has agreed a 25-year deal with the City of Wolverhampton Council to run the city’s Civic Halls.
The council announced in March it had struck a deal with AEG Presents and contracts have now been exchanged, with the venue set to reopen in autumn 2022 following a multi-million pound refit.
AEG Presents, supported by ASM Global, is scheduled to move into the 3,500-capacity venue in late April next year and then start the internal fit out to the front of house bars, kitchen and sound and lights systems.
“We’re delighted to get this important milestone over the line,” says AEG Presents CEO Steve Homer. ”This is a long term commitment and 25-year deal by AEG, which is going to be a game changer for the future of the Civic Halls and the city.
We are taking on a hugely important national venue and asset which has massive potential
“We are taking on a hugely important national venue and asset which has massive potential. We believe in it hugely and we believe in this city which is why we are investing and bringing the very best acts to this world famous stage.
“The City of Wolverhampton Council’s investment to safeguard the Civic Halls for future generations and bring the building back to life was key to our investment decisions. We now have a fantastic, relatively blank canvas to work on and will be setting about investing on the inside of the building to create a premium AEG customer experience. We can’t wait to get on with the job, get shows on sale and get open.”
The first artists to perform at the newly refurbished Halls are expected to be announced later this year.
Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.
AEG Presents to operate Wolverhampton Civic Hall
City of Wolverhampton Council has appointed AEG Presents to manage the city’s Civic Hall, which is due to reopen in early 2022.
The leading promoter and venue operator – which owns and/or operates over 40 UK venues, including London’s Eventim Apollo, Indigo at the O2 (itself run by sister company ASM Global) and a new venue at Olympia London – will work developers on the final stages of the transformation of the grade II-listed Civic Hall, which will have a capacity of 3,500.
AEG Presents CEO Steve Homer – who saw his first show, the Clash, at the Civic Hall in 1978 – says: “Wolverhampton Civic Hall has a great history of being a first-class venue for live music, [so] when looking to expand our portfolio of venues it was the obvious choice. The council’s ambition, commercial drive and significant investment, coupled with our desire to provide high quality entertainment and customer service, will forge a great partnership for years to come.
“Alongside the council, we are delighted to be part of the team to further the growth of the city and look forward to some amazing events in the Civic Hall. On a personal note, having attended my first ever live concert at the Civic Hall, I am delighted to help shape the future of this great venue.”
“Wolverhampton Civic Hall has a great history of being a first-class venue for live music”
The works being undertaken by developer Willmott Dixon Interiors inside the venue will see the height above the stage to the rear of the Civic Hall increased to attract bigger and better shows.
There will also be wider and more comfortable seats, more bars and more space to socialise, expanded and revamped toilet facilities, lift access to new balconies, better access arrangements for disabled visitors (including enhanced wheelchair access), a greater number of accessible viewing points, and improved room temperatures through the installation of a new air-conditioning system.
Council leader Ian Brookfield comments: “The Civic Hall is an integral part of Wolverhampton’s entertainment and music heritage and an important part of our visitor economy. We believe – and this belief is shared by AEG Presents – that it has the potential to become a recognised venue not just regionally and nationally, but also internationally.
“The re-opening and the successful operation of the halls will reap big rewards – not only because it won’t cost the taxpayer a penny, but just as importantly in terms of jobs and economic benefit for our city, as we look to relight from the impact of the pandemic.”
Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.