The current Royal Concert Hall auditorium seating was installed when the building was first constructed back in 1982 by Gloucestershire firm, Race Furniture. Now, 32 years later, the same company have won the contract to replace these seats with the new seating due to be installed this summer.

The original seats are showing some signs of wear and tear after the past three decades have seen over five million customers visit the venue. They will be removed in late July ready for the 2,505 new seats to be installed over a four-week period in August.

The new seating will comprise three main types across the three tiers of the auditorium; 2,236 fixed seats, 197 choir seats and 72 box chairs. Every part of each seat will be replaced from the laser-cut steel framework to the British Wool upholstery.

The seats will be manufactured at Race Furniture’s workshop in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, and installed in stages starting in the stalls and working upwards through the auditorium. The flooring in the stalls will also be replaced as the new seating goes in.

Dave Guy, technical director of the Royal Concert Hall, is leading the ambitious renovation project. He said: “Our new seats are state-of-the-art and our customers are going to notice a real improvement in their all-round comfort. Each seat back will be higher and more upright, which will support posture and give better sightlines to the stage.

“Plus, there are many hidden extras in each seat which customers won’t be able to see such as a lumbar cushion insert for lower back support and an ergonomically designed soft foam top in the seat pad for extra comfort. These new seats have been designed solely for concert and theatrical events.

“I think the brief for the original seats was for multi-use, including cinema presentations, hence the changes we’ve been able to make with the new design. We are delighted that Race Furniture won the contract and will be completing this renovation for us. It brings the whole project full circle. I can’t wait to get started!”

Stuart Finlator, managing director of Race Furniture, said “Everyone at Race is proud our seats lasted exceptionally well and that we will be able to demonstrate our abilities once again in the quality of our design and craftsmanship with the new seats we will be installing in August. We have every confidence that the new seats will once again last the test of time and provide an enhanced level of comfort for concert goers well into the middle of the 21st Century.”

The cost of the new seat installation was partly funded by donations received last year from the venue’s Big Red Seat Appeal, which was supported by the public, Nottingham City Council and a host of star names including Alfie Boe, Mick Hucknall, Harry Hill, Little Mix, Nigel Kennedy and Paloma Faith amongst many others. The remainder of the project has been funded through income raised by the venue itself.