EAST Lancashire’s premier music venue is going ‘back to the future’ while it remains closed because of coronavirus.

Blackburn’s King George’s Hall is using posters of past headline acts to spark memories of iconic concerts and tell fans it will be back in operation soon.

It is also compiling an archive of social media messages from local people about their favourite shows.

King George’s Hall bosses have been overwhelmed by the memories shared on their social media channels of concerts people have enjoyed there.

The shows include everything from the first experience of ballet to classic performers like the Beatles and David Bowie.

The venues team has added its own tribute as the billboards that usually advertise upcoming shows are now adorned with a celebration of some of the gigs at the venue.

The main entrance now hosts images from shows by Suede, The Courteeners and Kaiser Chiefs and some views of the venue in a different light.

Claire Wolstenholme said: “I always wanted to watch ballet and saw my first there a few years ago: Vienna Festival Ballet, they were everything I hoped for.”

Remembering his first ever gig, Terry Brereton said: “One of the first concerts I watched was Andy Williams in ‘79. I was on the front row and shook his hand!”

Tara McDaid picked her favourite concert “The Doves! The hairs on my arm stand up just thinking about the atmosphere at that gig.”

They include posts of treasured tickets from past events, like Andy Mayo’s ticket for The Jam in December 1979 costing just £3 and John Caffrey who has a large collection of tickets from shows as diverse as Magnum to Marc Almond.

Blackburn with Darwen Council leisure boss Cllr Damian Talbot said: “This is a fantastic idea. It complements the commemorative grates to bands which have played the hall installed round the trees outside in November last year. Hopefully the music will be back soon.”