Bristol’s Colston Hall to drop controversial name

Venue operator Bristol Music Trust will seek input from local people about "how we should recognise [Edward] Colston's name in the new building" when it reopens in 2020

News By | 26 April 2017

BMT's Louise Mitchell (left) and Marti Burgess

Colston Hall, the UK venue at the centre of a recent naming row over its ties to 17th-century slaver Edward Colston, has announced its intention to rebrand as part of a multimillion-pound programme of redevelopment.

At a press conference today, Louise Mitchell, chief executive venue operator Bristol Music Trust (BMT), said: “The name ‘Colston’ does not reflect the trust’s values as a progressive, forward-thinking and open arts organisation. We want to look to the future and ensure the whole city…

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