STAFF at Blackburn's King George’s Hall are set to welcome audiences again next month as coronavirus restrictions ease.

Following a 'heartbreaking' closure in March 2020, the venue has been redecorated ready for the return of entertainments.

Neil Dagnall, its operations manager, said: “We’re in the business of welcoming people. We create experiences for the people of Blackburn and Darwen but we’ve not been able to.

“It’s all those physical emotions that we’ve just not been able to achieve any more. We’re really looking forward to opening our doors and creating them again.

”I’m looking forward to receiving the first compliments that we’ve done a good night, but most of all I’m looking forward to opening these doors and getting people in.

“The shutdown has given us the opportunity to make changes. King George’s Hall used to be a salmon pink colour inside and we’ve changed that to regal blues and greys

“This venue is a community space. With the crisis we’re under it just makes sense to use this building for the people, to get everyone tested.

"I think there will be some nervousness around social distancing and whether it’s safe but we’re doing everything we can do to make it safe. Please come back. We’re waiting for you.”

Neil, also oversees Darwen Library Theatre which reopened in June with a reduced capacity.