A CONCERT Hall in Bradford city centre that brings in 400,000 people a year won the Leisure Venue of the Year award at the 2022 Telegraph & Argus Retail, Leisure and Hospitality awards on Sunday night.

St George’s Hall, on Bridge Street, won Leisure Venue of the Year, sponsored by Bradford At Night.

St George’s Hall programme manager Richard Batterby praised his team after the concert hall won the accolade on Sunday.

“What makes winning so special is these guys,” Mr Batterby said of his colleagues who were celebrating with him.

“We bring in 400,000 people a year but this accolade is down to our staff.

“We’ve undergone a big refurbishment and we’ve going through a tough time with Covid.

“Our customers are very loyal.

“We’ve got lots of exciting acts coming in 2023.

“It’s just keeps getting better and better every year.”

In the criteria for the award, the judges were looking for a place where people go for a great leisure experience that is deemed the best in the district.

St George’s was up against other attractions, venues or things to do that offered the best leisure experience.

Judges were looking for somewhere delivering a memorable experience of things to do, see or try, that is worthy of being crowned the best in the district.

One of the UK’s oldest concert halls, St George’s Hall was opened in 1853 and is in the heart of the city centre.

The impressive building was designed by Lockwood and Mawson in the Italianate style.

The Victorian Hall was the first of the city’s grand public buildings and it was built as a place where the city’s inhabitants come together to enjoy world class music and entertainment.

That tradition is still going strong today and the hall plays host to entertainment ranging from top comedians and family shows to talks and concerts.

In recent years, St George’s Hall has undergone major refurbishment, thanks to funding from Bradford Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The extensive refurbishment of this much loved building included a wide-range of work both to its exterior and interior. As well as major works to the roof, windows, electrics and stonework, the front-of-house areas have been increased and have been decorated sympathetically to suit the heritage of the building. Brand new seats were installed and facilities were improved for customers with disabilities.