Long-forgotten stories of Bristol music venue St George’s will be retold as part of an ambitious project supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
The funding announcement comes as the Grade II* listed Georgian building celebrates its 40th anniversary year as a world-class performance venue and calls on Bristol businesses to help fund its next phase of development and secure its future. 
The £775,000 HLF grant will help St George’s share its past lives as a Waterloo Church, a World War II air raid shelter and its role in attracting the best musicians to Bristol.
The main interpretation areas will be in the Crypt, and will also cover the history of nearby Brandon Hill, Georgian Bristol and the riots of the 1830s.
Money will also be used for essential repairs to the former church, built in 1823, including its impressive entrance with its flight of stone stairs, as well as educational, volunteering and engagement activities.
The registered charity, which hosts international-standard classical, jazz, world and folk musicians, is embarking on an ambitious £5.5m programme of works.
Some £4m has so far been raised with the balance needing to come from major donors, corporates, charitable trusts and individuals – especially those who love music and appreciate the building’s unique acoustics.
Due to be completed in October 2017, the heritage visitor attraction and café bar will become an all-day venue and will be free to visitors.
It is expected to attract a wide range of visitors from audience members to families, shoppers from Park Street, local residents and businesspeople, schoolchildren and coach groups.
The project includes a pavilion-style extension, designed by award-winning architects Patel Taylor, and with new performance and education spaces, a café bar and full access for people with disabilities.
Called ‘Building A Sound Future’, the project will help safeguard St George’s future as it will generate additional income through the café bar and venue hire.
This latest announcement follows a £1.76m Arts Council England grant and the launch of the charity’s Apollo Club for major donors and corporates.
St George’s chief executive Suzanne Rolt said: “We are thrilled with this announcement of funding support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
“It will enable us to unlock the fascinating history of St George’s – the building, its times, people and musicians – and will help bring new audiences through our doors.
“Also, we will be able to undertake essential and sensitive repairs to the 193-year-old building and undertake educational and volunteering activities.”
“We are calling on Bristol’s leaders, businesspeople, and all who appreciate St George’s special role in attracting world-class musicians, to help us reach this important target.”
Head of HLF South West, Nerys Watts, added: “After 193 years as a church, air raid shelter and concert venue, this National Lottery investment is clearly needed to ensure the historic St George’s continues to be one of the best places to watch live performance in the city. It’s great to see them take this opportunity to open up the fascinating heritage of the building so that visitors can discover what makes this building what it is today.”
