Arts Council seek ‘urgent meeting’ with city council over Bristol Beacon

Following the mammoth overspend of its refurbishment, Bristol City Council is attempting to wrestle control of the Bristol Beacon from the charity that runs the venue.

Bristol24/7 understands that discussions are taking place that could mean that the management of the historic building is taken away from Bristol Music Trust despite a 30-year lease arrangement with no break clause.

Arts Council England (ACE) have now stepped into the row, with their South West area director asking for an “urgent meeting” with the council.

Bristol Music Trust has raised around £44m towards the total transformation costs of the Bristol Beacon, with around half of this coming from ACE.

If the city council decide to make substantial changes to agreements known as the Entrustment Agreement and Collaboration Agreement, Bristol24/7 understands that they could be required to repay the £22m of ACE funding.

Bristol mayor Marvin Rees and Bristol Beacon chief exec Louise Mitchell – photo: Bristol Beacon

The total cost of the refurbishment is now likely to be £131.9m, with Bristol City Council’s contribution £83.9m – more than eight times the original estimate.

Doors to the refurbished main concert hall, a second smaller hall, education and performance spaces in the cellars, and a new restaurant within the former box office are due to open on November 30, with city council revenue support ceasing on that date.

In January, Bristol City Council’s cabinet approved a paper covering capital investment plans at the Beacon and “the need to secure ongoing commercial and cultural benefits for Bristol”.

Within this paper, a council officer wrote that the project “is now significantly altered from the original approved scheme”, adding 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”.

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.”

A Bristol Beacon spokesperson said: “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.”

ACE South West area director, Phil Gibby, 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.”

The new Bristol Beacon will give Bristol the world-class concert venue it deserves – image: Bristol Beacon

Bristol24/7 understands that despite the wording of January’s cabinet report, the original approved scheme has not “significantly altered” but is exactly the same, with the only change being that the cost has increased, albeit substantially.

While Bristol Music Trust is the music charity responsible for running the venue and a citywide programme of music education, Bristol City Council is responsible for the overseeing and management of the now £132m refurbishment project.

Bristol Music Trust’s lease arrangement at the Bristol Beacon with no break clause is part of the conditions of the funding provided by ACE.

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read next:

• Bristol Beacon reveal reopening date and first shows
• ‘The saga of Bristol Beacon is a lesson in how not to invest in arts and culture’
• Rees defends escalating costs of Bristol Beacon revamp

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