Iconic venue’s new look unveiled after £13.5m revamp

A bold new look has been unveiled for King George's Hall ahead of the iconic venue’s grand reopening this autumn following a £13.5m investment.

It is being described as the biggest transformation in the Blackburn entertainment venue's history.

Venue bosses say the new look has been inspired by the wide range of live experiences that audiences can look forward to from September celebrates everything from music and comedy to theatre, family shows and live events.

It also pays tribute to the hall’s remarkable heritage, with everyone from Queen to The Beatles and David Bowie having graced its stage.

The new branding has been unveiled as part of the venue's reopening campaign, ‘The King Is Back!’, celebrating the return of a venue that has been at the heart of entertainment in Lancashire for more than 100 years.

Featuring some of the big-name acts that audiences can look forward to as part of a packed opening programme, the campaign includes astronaut Tim Peake, Gabrielle, Jason Donovan, Paul Smith, Tez Ilyas and new 2026 pantomime, The Wizard of Oz, with major announcements expected in the coming weeks.

The branding was developed by the Blackburn with Darwen Venues Team in partnership with Source Creative, a leading agency in arts and culture with close ties to King George’s Hall and the town. And it boasts brand-new artwork by critically acclaimed artist Alexandra Gallagher.

The refreshed identity will begin appearing across King George's Hall's social media channels, website, advertising and promotional materials over the coming weeks as the countdown to reopening gathers pace alongside

Venue bosses say the new look is just one part of the wider transformation taking place behind the scenes.

Councillor Quesir Mahmood, Blackburn with Darwen Council's deputy leader and executive member for growth and development, said: “The launch of our new ‘The King Is Back!’ campaign, alongside our bold new branding, is another significant milestone as we work towards the grand reopening of King George’s Hall this autumn.

“Just a few weeks ago, I was lucky to go behind the scenes and see first-hand the huge progress that’s being made on the transformation of King George’s Hall, and it is looking incredible.

“Thanks to government funding that the council successfully secured, alongside our own investment, we've been able to deliver £13.5m of improvements – the most significant transformation this historic venue has seen since it first opened more than a century ago.

“As well as important upgrades to the building itself, including a new roof, we've listened carefully to what audiences and residents have told us matters most. We've invested in more comfortable seating, bigger bars, additional toilets, new lifts, improved heating and air conditioning, and a host of other improvements that will make visiting the venue an even better experience.

“This campaign and bold new branding form part of our ambition to attract audiences from across Lancashire and beyond, helping to support Blackburn town centre and showcasing everything there is to enjoy at King George's Hall and there is so much to look forward to.”

He added: “King George's Hall remains one of the North West's most iconic entertainment venues, attracting audiences from across Lancashire and beyond and we can’t wait to open its doors once again.

“Its reopening will strengthen Blackburn’s growing reputation as a destination for arts, culture and live entertainment, while playing a key role in the continued regeneration of our cultural quarter, creating an even more vibrant place for residents and visitors alike.”