Birmingham concert hall renamed to thank entrepreneur

The Concert Hall at Birmingham City University's Royal Birmingham Conservatoire will be renamed The Bradshaw Hall this evening following Dr Keith Bradshaw OBE DL's donation of £1million.

The 500 seater Bradshaw Hall will act as thanks to the entrepreneur – with his donation all set to help fund support for student scholarships, educational outreach with children and young people, teaching posts and visiting fellowships at the music and acting college.

Dr Keith Bradshaw OBE DL said: “Music creation and performance has always been at the soul of this city and it is humbling to know that the Conservatoire is providing life-changing opportunities for local youngsters at a time when access to music budgets is being cut on all sides.

“I am therefore delighted that I am able to support the work of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and this commitment will not only attract the best performers and students from around the world to our city, but it will also introduce new audiences to the wonderful array of music genres the Conservatoire offers."

The naming of the Conservatoire’s performance space in Dr Bradshaw’s honour will be revealed during the inaugural Vice-Chancellor’s Recital, which takes place in The Bradshaw Hall tonight.

Speaking ahead of the event, Professor Philip Plowden, vice-chancellor at Birmingham City University, said: "With the new Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, we were given a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a state-of-the-art music facility for the great performers of tomorrow.

"Keith’s generous gift ensures we can now continue that work well into the future and expand upon current initiatives, providing unique educational opportunities and widening participation to welcome more under-represented groups to study and enjoy music at our university.

"His donation provides further support for our work of introducing more young people to music and musicianship through our outreach programmes across the region."

The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, which is based on Jennens Road in Birmingham’s Eastside, houses five public performance spaces and a further 100 practice rooms, recording studios and workshops.

Bradshaw Hall includes a moveable stage, is equipped with the latest acoustic treatments and technology, and is used for student concerts and public performances – as well as radio and television broadcasts.

Dr Bradshaw, who co-founded the Listers car dealership 38 years ago, served as High Sheriff for the West Midlands between 2016 and 2017.