Champagne flowed as Watford Borough Council showed off the colourful results of its multimillion-pound Colosseum redevelopment.

The iconic venue, in Rickmansworth Road, has undergone an extensive interior refit since it was closed to the public in August 2010.

One year and some £5.5million later, Mayor Dorothy Thornhill proudly unveiled a ceremonial opening plaque this afternoon and declared that the building was now fit for the 21st Century.

She added: “We knew we could have gone for the cheap version, with just a lick of paint; we could have done the medium option; or we could go for the full monty. We looked at our bank balance sheet and said ‘let’s go for it’.

“What people felt was that they wanted to give it the best chance to survive in the 21st Century. The reason that we went for this option is because I think that the people of Watford are worth it.”

Inside, the famous old auditorium – once said by Italian opera star Pavarotti to have the finest acoustics in the world – has been refitted and redecorated, with new tiered seating installed for up to 1,400 people.

The redevelopment, however, has not been without its controversies, some of which – including disagreements over the bold purple, orange and red carpeting – were mentioned by Mayor Thornhill in her speech this afternoon.

She stressed, however, that the designers had at all times strived to remain true to the original Art Deco interior of the 1930s structure.

Political rivals also added their support to for the works.

Councillor Nigel Bell, deputy leader of the council’s Labour group, said: “We were naturally wary of the cost to Watford Council taxpayers but on the initial tour today of the inside we are impressed. Of course, from the acoustics point of view, we will await the critics from the first classical and other performances.”

The day-to-day running of the building will be handled by commercial partner HQ Theatres, which has signed a long-term commercial deal with the council.

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