SIX months of painstaking restoration work is returning St George's Hall to its original splendour.

Experts are reverting to the original colour schemes used by the designers of the neoclassical hall in the 1850s.



A 15-strong team is tackling the north entrance hall and small concert room, together with two grand staircases at the Lime Street landmark.

When they are complete the venues will form a stunning backdrop for both public and private events.

The work is part of the £5m second phase of restoration at the hall.

Rob Chambers, of architects Purcell Miller Tritton, who is overseeing the project, said: "The walls of the entrance hall will be hand-painted with a granite effect in oil paints and then varnished over. It's painstaking work. It's going to take months. The whole project is due for completion in April or May."

The bright colours which have adorned the entrance hall for many years are being replaced by muted pale blues, off-whites and biscuit tones which were used when the hall was built in 1854.

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