Security enhanced as concert venues reopen after £10m facelift

Wolverhampton’s live music venues, the Civic and Wulfrun Halls, reopen today (Friday) after a £10m makeover.

The City of Wolverhampton Council is already warning concertgoers that enhanced security measures will be in place following the reopening.

The measures, designed to strengthen security and public safety both inside and outside the venues, include a number of temporary measures such as road closures around the venues on show nights.

There will also be enhanced security measures around the buildings and on the way to and from both venues.

Cllr John Reynolds, Wolverhampton’s cabinet member for City Economy, said: “With the threat level for terrorism in the UK currently at severe, we have taken the prudent step of installing additional security measures at our venues for customer and staff safety. These are in common with those seen elsewhere in the country.

“I would urge visitors to familiarise themselves with the measures and to arrive early at our venues to give themselves ample time to pass through the security cordon. We will endeavour to get people into the buildings as quickly as we can but queuing is likely, especially at sell out events. We will open the doors early wherever possible.”

Road closures will affect Red Lion Street, Mitre Fold and North Street, which will all be closed to all traffic on show nights. This will mean that people wishing to park at the Civic Centre will need to access the car park via Wulfruna Street.

Alternative car parks, all within a 10-minute walk of the Civic and Wulfrun Halls, will be open as usual, including Broad Street, Fryer Street, School Street, Fold Street, Peel Street and Temple Street. The pedestrian route to the Civic Hall from the Civic Centre car park will remain open.

Searches will take place in covered areas outside the Civic and Wulfrun Halls. No bags over the size of an A4 sheet of paper will be allowed into either venue, and no bottles will be permitted.

In addition, concrete barriers have been installed outside both venues to prevent vehicle incursions.

Kicking off the new season of events is a concert tonight at the Wulfrun Hall by US heavy metal band, W.A.S.P.