City of Wolverhampton Council has agreed a 25-year deal for the venue operator and concert promoter AEG Presents to run the city’s Civic Halls.
Supported by ASM Global, AEG Presents is scheduled to occupy the halls in April 2022, before starting the internal refurbishment of the front of house bars, kitchen and sound and light systems.
The first artists to perform at the newly refurbished halls are expected to be announced later this year.
AEG Presents owns and operate over 40 venues including Eventim Apollo London, indigo at The O2, and Olympia London.
“We’re delighted to get this important milestone over the line,” said AEG Presents CEO Steve Homer. “This is a long-term commitment and 25-year deal by AEG which is going to be a game changer for the future of the Civic Halls and the city.
“We are taking on a hugely important national venue and asset which has massive potential. We believe in it hugely, and we believe in this city, which is why we are investing and bringing the very best acts to this world-famous stage.
“The City of Wolverhampton Council’s investment to safeguard the Civic Halls for future generations and bring the building back to life was key to our investment decisions. We now have a fantastic, relatively blank canvas to work on and will be setting about investing the inside of the building to create a premium AEG customer experience. We can’t wait to get on with the job, get shows on sale and get open.”
Councillor Stephen Simkins, deputy leader of the Council and cabinet member for City Economy, said: “The council has demonstrated bold and ambitious thinking to take this very challenging project on, and thanks to that we have secured a 25-year commitment from a world-leading operator – a real vote of confidence in Wolverhampton – and it won’t cost the taxpayer a penny.
“We’re excited by the opportunity to work with the AEG Presents team to relight our Civic Halls and will continue to work closely with them. We're putting in investment in the public space outside the building so it’s fantastic for visitors and progressing plans to bring a premiere hotel brand to the heart of the city as part of our Westside re-phasing.
“AEG Presents’ passion for the iconic halls and ambition for the future matches our own and this partnership will not only deliver an outstanding venue with top-class entertainment for generations to come – it will be a keystone of our wider plans to reimagine the city centre, to create local jobs and grow vital local businesses. Never has this been more needed than now, as we plot a path out of the pandemic.”
