Cardiff’s St David’s Hall to reopen after deal between council and AMG
Cardiff’s St David’s Hall to reopen after deal between council and AMG
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St David’s Hall, one of Cardiff’s flagship concert venues, is set to reopen under new management after Academy Music Group Limited (AMG) confirmed an agreement with Cardiff Council to take over its operation.
The deal, announced today (12 September), secures the long-term future of the venue, known as the National Concert Hall of Wales, and positions it once again as a major player in the capital’s cultural and live music scene.
The reopening will see the 40-year-old venue restored as a home for classical and symphonic music, while also expanding its programming to include contemporary shows and community-led events.
Liam Boylan, CEO of Academy Music Group, said: “Cardiff is a vibrant city with a thriving music and arts scene, and we’re delighted to be returning one of its most integral venues to the forefront of its cultural community.
“Academy Music Group has a long history of investing in culturally important buildings and ensuring that they remain open and flourish for future generations to enjoy.
“St David’s Hall sets a benchmark standard for concert halls globally, and we’re thrilled to be able to ensure it continues to deliver outstanding entertainment for many years to come.”
Cardiff Council welcomed the agreement, highlighting AMG’s financial commitment to restoring and upgrading the venue. Cllr Jennifer Burke, Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, said: “This is the start of a new and exciting chapter in the history of one of Wales’s most important music venues.
“The significant investment AMG is making will ensure the fabric of the building is protected and maintained for years to come. As well as bringing some of the most exciting acts in contemporary live music to Cardiff, the deal with AMG will protect the Hall’s classical programme and will mean that Wales once again has a National Concert Hall to be proud of.
“St David’s Hall is a special venue for audiences and musicians across Cardiff, Wales and beyond. I’m delighted that under AMG’s stewardship it will soon be welcoming audiences back through the doors and helping us deliver on our music city ambitions.”
Under the terms of the agreement, at least 60 days in the peak calendar will be reserved for classical events, with a further 20 days outside that period. Every other year, the Hall will also host the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition.
Welcoming the announcement, Lisa Tregale, Director of the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales, said:
“We welcome today’s announcement as an important step in the reopening of St David’s Hall, as an essential home for classical and symphonic music in Wales.
“BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales are excited that the hall will be reopening and will now work closely with AMG on our return to this unique concert venue. We look forward to performing in front of audiences on this world-class stage.”
Investment in the venue will also include three new Steinway grand pianos, selected by concert pianist Charles Owen and purchased by Cardiff Council to support its classical music programme. AMG will take responsibility for their care, along with the Hall’s historic organ and other instruments.
To strengthen its role in the city’s cultural infrastructure, AMG will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with leading classical organisations in Cardiff. The agreement is designed to secure the continuation of community outreach and education programmes linked to the Hall.
The venue, which closed following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in its structure, will undergo extensive remedial works funded by AMG. These include a new roof and replacement stalls seating to enable greater flexibility in show formats.
“The company confirmed that acoustic specialists Sandy Brown, who advised on the Hall’s original design, have signed off on the plans to ensure the world-renowned acoustics are preserved.
St David’s Hall, which has hosted global orchestras, legendary soloists and contemporary artists alike, has been closed since 2023. Its reopening under AMG’s stewardship is seen as a pivotal step for Cardiff’s cultural economy, combining heritage preservation with renewed commercial viability.
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