Significant milestone for Watford Colosseum as AEG UK officially takes over the venue

Watford Borough Council has officially transferred stewardship of the newly refurbished Watford Colosseum to AEG Presents UK, marking the official completion of the building’s extensive renovation. This handover represents a pivotal moment in the regeneration of the Town Hall Quarter.

With structural enhancements now wrapped up, AEG will turn its attention to the internal transformation—outfitting the venue with cutting-edge technology, premium lighting systems, and contemporary furnishings. These preparations set the stage for a grand reopening in autumn 2025, where the Colosseum will once again come alive with performances from global stars and cherished local talent.

Driven by the Council and delivered in collaboration with Morgan Sindall Construction, the redevelopment has breathed new life into this historic landmark. Major upgrades include a completely new stage, fully refurbished bars, improved accessibility features, reopening the original main entrance, clearer wayfinding, and an extensive interior refresh throughout.

Sustainability has remained a core focus throughout the works, with the revamped Colosseum now balancing its storied character with modern environmental efficiencies. The £16 million investment—generously backed by the UK Government—has secured the future of the venue as a premier cultural hub for generations to come.

Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “This is a major step forward in bringing first-class, live entertainment to Watford. With AEG Presents officially on board and the building work completed, we’re now counting down to an exciting opening season in the brilliantly refurbished Colosseum. This has been a key priority for us, and I’m delighted to see the venue ready for its next chapter.”

Steve Homer, CEO of AEG Presents UK, said: “We’re thrilled to take this next step with Watford Colosseum. The council’s investment has created a brilliant venue that blends heritage with modern capability, and we’re excited to begin the fit-out process. This venue has huge potential, and we’re confident it will attract incredible talent and become a much-loved home for live entertainment in the region.”

Lisa Mart, General Manager Watford Colosseum, said: “We are very proud to be relaunching a venue with such a rich history for Watford audiences and beyond. The collaboration with Watford Council and the local business community has been an incredibly positive experience, and we already have a really varied line up across all kinds of genres for all kinds of fans. We look forward to the launch when we open our doors officially on 29 August and are so proud to open such an amazing venue.” 

Emma Curtis, Area Director at Morgan Sindall Construction in the Northern Home Counties, said: “It’s been a privilege to collaborate with the council and breath fresh life into this iconic building, which will now begin a new chapter as the backbone of Watford’s Town Hall Quarter regeneration. A central focus of this project has been preserving a valuable, much-loved part of the community’s heritage while making the site as sustainable as possible to align with the council’s net zero goals.”

For updates and event news, visit watfordcolosseum.co.uk and sign up for the mailing list.