Willmott Dixon has been selected to deliver a £49 million transformation project at Colston Hall on Bristol.

The works form the second phase of a major redevelopment programme at the venue, with a new £20 million foyer space delivered by the contractor at the iconic building in 2009.

Designed by architects Levitt Bernstein, Willmott Dixon will now update the remainder of building by remodelling the Main Hall to increase standing capacity by 15%, redeveloping The Lantern facility area within the Hall into a versatile performance venue and opening up the cellars for the first time in 150 years by creating a new performance space and education suite.

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Other features include restoring the building's 150-year-old historic façade, restoring the historic foyer and reinstating the decorative Colston Street frontage. Work is scheduled to get underway in June, with an opening date set for the public in 2020.

John Boughton, deputy managing director at Willmott Dixon and based in the company's Bristol office, said: "We were incredibly proud to have constructed Colston Hall's new Foyer nearly ten years ago so are excited to be back delivering this amazing transformation that will make it one of the UK's best venues for entertainment.

"With our strong Bristol presence, we'll use local companies whenever possible to grow opportunities for employment, and our site team are looking forward to being able to watch the exciting acts that will be attracted to the transformed Colston Hall."

Louise Mitchell, Chief Executive of Bristol Music Trust, which owns the building, said: "The Hall hasn't been updated since it opened in the 1950s, so it's long overdue a transformational refurbishment that will give Bristol and the South West a world class venue to be proud of."

(LM/MH)