An urgent meeting has been requested by Arts Council England with the city council due to growing concerns over the handling of the renovations of Bristol Beacon. The costs for the historic venue - which is owned by Bristol City Council - have spiralled in recent months with the latest total estimated at almost £132 million.
Bristol City Council is now exploring its future with Bristol Beacon ahead of the reopening. Both the council and Bristol Beacon have confirmed that discussions have been in place for some time regarding the management of the music venue. Bristol Music Trust - the charity responsible for the day-to-day running of the venue - currently has a 30-year lease with no break clause.
The trust was founded by Bristol City Council in 2011, as part of the condition of the capital funding from Arts Council England for the foyer development of Bristol Beacon in 2009, estimated at around £20 million, and any changes to the break clause may impact the Arts Council’s funding.
Read more: Bristol Beacon finally confirms reopening date after major £132m revamp
Arts Council England’s south west area director said anything that compromises the trust’s ability to deliver its charitable objectives “naturally gives [them] cause for concern”. The council has contributed around £83.9 million to the refurbishment and totalling 63 per cent of the overall costs. Other funders include the Heritage Lottery Fund and the West of England Combined Authority.
Phil Gibby, South West Area Director of Arts Council England, said: “The local and national significance of Bristol Music Trust is immense, and anything that compromises their ability to deliver on their charitable objectives within their Bristol Beacon home, naturally gives us cause for concern. We will be seeking an urgent meeting with the city council to seek their assurances on this matter.”
In January this year, Bristol City Council’s cabinet approved a paper covering capital investment plans and “the need to secure ongoing commercial and cultural benefits for Bristol”. The paper stated that “the lease arrangement for the Bristol Beacon will be considered and updated in any new arrangement with the Bristol Music Trust”.
In light of the costs rising to £131.9 million, the report outlined how “the project is now significantly altered from the original approved scheme” and that “consideration will need to be given to explore the wider potential for investment return to the council from the Bristol Beacon”. BristolLive understands that the council is reviewing the project because it has “significantly altered” from the original approved project in terms of cost.
A spokesperson for Bristol City Council said: "Discussions remain ongoing to finalise arrangements for the management of the Bristol Beacon building, which is owned by Bristol City Council. We are investing to transform it into a world-class music venue."
The new ‘world class’ venue is due to open on November 30 after extensive works to create new performance spaces including the 2,000+ capacity Beacon Hall and Lantern Hall as well as the brand-new Weston Cellar, a space that was previously unused and a new restaurant. The January cabinet report also stated the council will cease to provide revenue support after Bristol Beacon reopens.
A spokesperson for Bristol Beacon added: “We are currently in discussion about the future financial arrangements between Bristol Music Trust, the music charity responsible for running Bristol Beacon, and Bristol City Council. Whilst discussions are ongoing, it wouldn’t be right to comment on the details, however we can confirm that, as set out in the Cabinet papers in January 2023, the city council has informed the Trust of its intention to end the current revenue support once the venue is reopened.
“We understand the financial challenges faced by the city council and are committed to finding a workable solution that enables us as a music charity to continue delivering vital cultural services and music education to the people of Bristol.”
The council also detailed that the Entrustment Agreement and Collaboration Agreement, which no longer reflect the current financial context, “will need to be reviewed to ensure that the city and its citizens receive the maximum benefit from the city’s significant financial investment in the building”. Bristol City Council said it intends to undertake market testing over the next six months to assess the ongoing value of the refurbished building and “deliver the best outcome for citizens, both culturally and financially”.
Bristol Beacon has already started programming for its return in November, including stand-up nights from Romesh Ranganathan and Sarah Millican.
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