The music venue Colston Hall in Bristol, which is named after the slave trader and politician Edward Colston (1636–1721), has announced that it will change its name by autumn 2020.

Following the Black Lives Matters protests that have spread across the world since the murder of George Floyd by US police on 25 May, a statue of Colston was toppled by protestors in Bristol on Sunday 7 June. The Hall had already committed to changing its name in April 2017, and said it would reopen with a new name in spring 2020 following refurbishment. However, this was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It now says it will reveal a new name this autumn. Ahead of that, it is removing external signage from the building.

The Hall was opened in 1867 and was named after Colston because of his donations to local causes. However, during his involvement with the Royal African Company from 1680 to 1692 an estimated 84,000 African men, women and children were traded as slaves.

In a statement, the venue said: ‘The current name does not reflect our values as a progressive, forward-thinking and open arts organisation – we want it to be representative of the city, a beacon of its values of hope, diversity and inclusion.’

For the full statement see here.