Warm welcome for new name

BRISTOL reacted with a degree of pleasant surprise to the new name of its biggest concert venue.

Local MP Thangam Debbonaire said the new name was an ‘appropriate metaphor’ for the city, and welcomed the name change.

“This fantastic venue has been at the centre of Bristol’s cultural life for many years. So many of us have enjoyed special events there or heard fantastic music, but been unhappy at the name and what it signified,” she said.

“I am pleased that the hall will become the Bristol Beacon, a name from the voices of the people of Bristol. This is an appropriate metaphor as Bristol can be a shining light across the world as a place to live and work which recognises, celebrates and values diversity.”

Marti Burgess, a black Bristolian businesswoman, joined the Bristol Music Trust in the mid 2010s and helped push for the name of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston to be dropped. She said she too welcomed the new name.

“As the events of the last few years have shown, the re-thinking of a name can be a catalyst for shifts in culture, which can change a city’s fabric and identity,” she said. “Bristol Music Trust have shown leadership by making this change and I know the new name can also be a way to kickstart discussions about where we want to be as a city and how we want to be perceived.

“We are going through such turbulent times so the venue opening under a new forwardthinking name is really something to honour,” she added.

However, Kelly Edwards echoed the voice of many, who said they won’t be using the new name.

“This will never not be called the Colston Hall. That’s if it even gets any visitors now,” she said.