Colston Hall, which has been closed since June 2018 for a major refurbishment, was stripped off the lettering on Monday, a week after a statue of Colston was toppled by protestors.

The venue announced three years ago that it would drop the Colston name over existing concerns over its links with the slave trader.

Officials at the venue are set to announce a new title later this year, following a consultation of more than 4,000 people.

“We have no wish to forget the past, but when we re-open our redeveloped building as one of the best art and educational venues in the country, it must be as a place that is welcoming for everyone,” Colston Hall says in a statement.

“There is more to be done before we can announce our new name and many of the actions that will follow won’t be public. But this marks a big step on our journey an we are excited and hopeful as we look to our future.”

Colston Hall is located on the site of Colston’s School, which was also named after the 17th Century slave trader.

The hall, which hosted its first music concert in 1867, remains one of the city’s biggest indoor venues with a capacity of 2,075.

Following the toppling of Colston’s statue earlier this month, a number of other Bristol venues that bear the slave trader’s name are also said to be considering changing their titles.

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