For 150 years, we have been a cultural hub for Bristol with our inspirational and groundbreaking music and music education experiences.
Since 2011, Bristol Music Trust has been the custodian of the city’s beloved venue, creating a music programme of national renown, a commercially profitable business and an award winning music education programme called Bristol Plays Music.
Now, Bristol Music Trust is taking on the our biggest challenge yet with a c.£50 million transformation of the city’s cultural centre that will set the stage for another 150 years of music in Bristol.
Every year, some 300,000 people pack out our musical performances and we play host to 15,000 artists and musicians. In 2015-16, our activity and audiences generated an estimated £11.8 million in additional economic activity for the Bristol economy and 257 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs.
Working alongside KPMG, the professional services firm, we estimate that over the 20 years after the venue reopens, it could generate*:
*this is based on a number of assumptions which can be found in the full KPMG report below.
Please note this assessment was carried out prior to our change of name from Colston Hall to Bristol Beacon in September 2020.
Today our Bristol Plays Music Education Hub provides a comprehensive education programme to get every child off to the best possible start in life. Bristol Plays Music has delivered transformative education work in communities identified by Bristol City Council as the most deprived through BPM centres and Bristol Beacon’s education delivery partners.
Through our partner network we have:
The transformation will strengthen the ability of our music team to deliver high quality education. We will:
On Wednesday 23 September 2020 Colston Hall changed its name to Bristol Beacon.
Our new name is just the first step, it is about more than the sign above our door. Click below to find out more about how we’re changing, watch our name announcement, and discover how we want everyone to share in the joy of live music.