It’s a year since Sir Elton John’s sensational concert at the Halton Stadium, Widnes, which brought thousands of people together for a brilliant celebration of music and created a feel-good factor right across the borough.
Twelve months on and the Halton Stadium can report that the concert has had a lasting positive effect on the venues activities.
It’s certainly put the Stadium on the map as an established music venue.
In the last year, a number of the country’s top tribute acts have appeared including top Oasis tribute Noasis, who played to a sell-out crowd in the Stadium’s Sports Hall venue which now doubles as a brilliant 700 capacity rock venue with superb sound, to rival any in the UK.
Easter saw the Madchester event which featured top Stone Roses tribute Resurrection and Happy Mondaze. However, the Stadium isn’t just catering for tribute acts with top local local bands acts The Odds and Factory appearing at Madchester along with a host of established local singer/songwriters on the acoustic stage.
This June saw the multi-million selling Liverpool indie band Space appearing to perform their massive hits Female of the Species, Neigbourhood and The Ballad of Tom Jones among others, supported by favourites of the UK punk scene Pete Bentham & the Dinner Ladies, fronted by Widnes born Pete.
Lots more concerts are scheduled with rock fans able to look forward to the fantastic Guns N Roses Experience on 10 November with more shows to be announced.
On the sporting front, a new artificial pitch is to be laid shortly to improve facilities for five-a-side and seven-a-side football, touch rugby and all the sports sides who use the Stadium; Such as Widnes Vikings, Halton Spartans American Football Team and a special mention must go to Widnes Football Club which not only won promotion to the Evo-Stick Northern Premier League One but was also crowned Macron Cup Champions.
The Stadium has also hosted a number of other successful major events including the dance show ‘Strictly Halton’, Wedding Fayres, Faulty Towers Dining Experience, Conferences and Business Fayres as well as big charity events such as the Pink Ball for Breast Cancer Now and the Sunflower Ball in aid of St. Rocco’s Hospice.
Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for The Stadium, Cllr Phil Harris, said; “Facilities will also improve with the opening of a newly refurbished Function Suite later this year. So if you are looking for the ideal setting for your private event, charity event or private function, Halton Stadium’s suites and function rooms are a fantastic setting for all your needs.”
For more information call 0151 510 6000, e mail: stadium@halton.gov.uk or visit www.haltonstadium.co.uk