Barbican to close for major refurb ahead of 50th anniversary

London’s iconic Barbican Centre is preparing for a big refresh, with the arts powerhouse set to close parts of its venue for a 12-month renovation from June 2028. While the centre’s music venue, conservatory and visual arts galleries will temporarily shut their doors, there’s good news for film fans, as the Beech Street cinemas will remain open throughout the works.

The closure marks a major milestone in a multimillion-pound, five-year renewal project kicking off in 2027, designed to future-proof the Grade II-listed building ahead of its 50th anniversary in 2032. The City of London Corporation has already green-lit £119 million in funding, covering around 80% of the project and ensuring essential repairs and upgrades can move ahead.

Alongside this, the Barbican is launching a fundraising campaign to help reimagine some of its most loved public spaces, including the foyers, lakeside terrace and conservatory. These improvements form part of the first phase of the works, due to be completed by 2030.

Describing the plans as “a defining moment”, Barbican director of buildings and renewal Philippa Simpson said the project will breathe new life into the venue while honouring its bold history. That spirit has been on show recently, with the Barbican transforming its car park into a pop-up club space, celebrating pirate radio culture, and hosting bass-heavy takeovers from Jamz Supernova and the Guildhall Session Orchestra.

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Header image credit: Laura Marks / Unsplash.com