Major work to finally start on Wolverhampton Civic Hall
Major work on the £38m revamp of Wolverhampton Civic Hall is finally about to begin, with initial works to be completed within days.
A huge job to remove asbestos is nearly complete, paving the way for the main refurbishment work.
The Civic is due to re-open in 2021 - five years later than originally planned.
The iconic building will undergo a major overhaul, with structural, engineering and electrical works all to be carried out to make the hall fit for the 21st century.
Major events in the city, including comedians and the Grand Slam of Darts, have been moved to Aldersley Leisure Village while the Civic is out of action.
Council chiefs will be pleased to see the main part of the work getting under way after a series of problems with the scheme. The 80-year-old building had to be “stripped back to its bare walls” to get rid of asbestos.
'World-class venue'
Councillor John Reynolds, economy boss at Wolverhampton Council, said: “Wolves Civic is a very special place.
“Generations of Wulfrunians and music and comedy fans from across the UK have shared unforgettable memories here with international stars and the biggest bands.
“We’ll be creating a world-class venue for bigger audiences which is exactly what promoters are looking for.
“The Civic is a critical part of how we are re-imagining and re-inventing our city centre, along with great connectivity, great public spaces, great new homes, a great leisure and sporting offer, vibrant events, outstanding arts and culture, and a thriving commercial district.
“It forms part of the groundswell of regeneration activity across the city centre, where £1 billion of investment is on site or in the pipeline.”
The council says the Civic revamp will bring a £7.6 million boost to the economy every year and support 548 jobs.
An extra 10,000 people are expected to pack in to the venue when it is finally complete, growing to around 180,000 a year.
A second balcony will be added to the Civic, while a balcony will be fitted at Wulfrun Hall to provide extra seating.
The Civic will also have an extended stage to the rear to attract bigger and better shows. Seating, bars and toilet facilities will all be improved as part of the revamp.
When completed, both venues will be able to cater for around 4,600 people standing or 3,130 people seated in total, an increase of almost 500 and 450 respectively.
How it’s all gone wrong for 'The Civic'
It has hosted Chuck Berry, Oasis, Slade and Robert Plant, was the home of the record-breaking Blast Off! club night, and is thought to be Europe’s oldest rock ‘n’ roll venue.
But after a series of failings on the part of Wolverhampton Council, the project to revamp the city’s Civic halls spiralled out of control. Here’s where it all went wrong:
March 2015 – Wolverhampton Council announce plans to close the Civic halls for a major revamp, saying the famous old venue is no longer fit for purpose.
The cost is put at £10.4 million, including an increased capacity and a new balcony for the Wulfrun Hall. Bosses say it will be fully reopened for the Grand Slam of Darts in November 2016.
December 2015 – The Civic halls close for what is now a £14.4 million refurbishment that bosses say will “set the venue up for the next 100 years”.
It includes plans for new bars, a new ceiling and extended stages, with capacity increased to 2,500 seats and 3,500 standing. The venue is expected to fully reopen in March 2018.
January 2017 – The completion date is pushed back to October 2018 after structural problems emerge. Council bosses also promise to find a new home for Civic’s historic organ.
August 2017 – A further delay is announced following the discovery of what council bosses call “small amount of asbestos”.
October 2017 – The venue temporarily reopens for a series of shows, including the Grand Slam of Darts and a gig by rock legend Robert Plant.
November 2017 – Wolverhampton Council announces it has scrapped the original scheme after major issues emerge, including the need for a new roof, new electrics and a substantial asbestos removal programme.
It is revealed that the project is likely to cost at least £36m, with bosses also considering ditching the revamp entirely.
January 2018 – It emerges that work on the halls had to be halted due to engineers discovering its foundations were in danger of being crushed.
January 2018 – Councillors approve an extra £23.6m for the scheme and announce a new opening date of autumn 2020.
June 2018 – A shock report brands the council’s project management of the scheme “inadequate” and reveals initial budget projections were unrealistic. Tory councillors accuse the authority of demonstrating “appalling neglect” over the development.
June 2018 – It emerges that the council has spent almost £2m on “design and trial fees” for the project.
July 2018 – Wolverhampton Council’s then managing director, Keith Ireland, admits he has no idea when the project will be finished and how much it will cost. He told councillors that “intrusive surveys” had not been done at the start of the project, admitting: “This is pretty disastrous for us.”
July 2018 – Council bosses reveal they are considering legal action against previous advisers involved in the project.
February 2019 – True to its pledge, the council does indeed find a new home for the Civic’s “priceless” organ – a landfill site – after admitting the 80-year-old instrument had been wrecked by asbestos.
March 2019 – The council announces the halls will reopen in autumn 2021 at a cost of £38.1m. Refurbishment work begins.
