A major music group has made a proposal to Cardiff council regarding taking on the running of cultural venue St David's Hall, it has been confirmed. Academy Music Group (AMG) operates the O2 Academies, which have a huge number of venues across the UK, including in London and Scotland. St David's Hall in The Hayes in the centre of the capital celebrated its 40th anniversary this year having hosted world-renowned orchestras, the Welsh Proms, and Welsh Baftas over the years.
AMG, which has a track record of taking on heritage buildings and running them as entertainment venues, has approached Cardiff council with a proposal and talks are believed to be at an early stage with the proposal being reviewed. It's understood that fears any agreement could lead to the loss of the venue as a site of events like opera, ballet, or classical music are unfounded and seating would remain in place in some form – potentially with seating that can be removed as and when needed for specific shows or events. It's also understood no jobs would be at risk under the proposal while it's believed the proposal is likely to include funding for the "significant maintenance backlog" which has been an issue at the building for some years.
A council spokesman said: “Cardiff council can confirm it has received a proposal from the Academy Music Group (AMG) regarding St David’s Hall. This proposal has no status and will be given consideration by the council’s cabinet at a future meeting. There is undeniably a need to secure investment into St David’s Hall but safeguarding jobs at the venue and retaining its status as the national concert hall of Wales, with due access to classical and community groups, would be an absolute imperative for the administration under any proposal.” AMG has been approached for comment.
The future of the hall was initially cast into doubt in 2014 as the council sought to make savings and cut down the money it spent on subsidising the venue and others like it. Plans to find an outside provider to run St David's Hall were dropped in 2017 though the authority at the time retained an interest in securing new investment for the 2,000-seater venue.
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AMG runs 19 major UK venues including the Shepherd's Bush Empire and Kentish Town Forum in London, the Ritz in Manchester, Liverpool's Arts Club, Newcastle City Hall, and 02 Academy venues in cities including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Sheffield, Oxford, Leeds, and Leicester. They also have a number of managed and partner venues.
St David's Hall, which took five years to build, was formally opened by the Queen Mother in February 1983 and has played host to everyone from Welsh icons like Sir Tom Jones and Dame Shirley Bassey to stars including Tina Turner and Johnny Cash. t continues to host everything from bands and comedy to ballet and classical music.
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