AMBITIOUS plans by the Liverpool Philharmonic to build a second concert hall as part of a “world-class” revamp costing up to £40m, can be revealed today by the Daily Post.

Officials at the prestigious city venue have drawn up plans to build a new hall, creating more back-stage space for musicians, and new drinking and eating areas for concert-goers.

It would involve building on a car park and across Caledonia Street, which runs down the side of the current hall.

In an exclusive interview, chief executive Michael Eakin said the Philharmonic Hall was a wonderful building, but its facilities were cramped and needed updating for the 21st century.

The plans could even be more radical as the Phil has not ruled out moving to another site, but currently officials are looking at remaining at the Grade II-listed building in Hope Street and building an extension.

Mr Eakin said: “There is an impetus and ambition because we are straining around the edges of the building.

“We have been looking at the medium to long term – at the need to develop our facilities.”

He said the Phil was looking to firm up plans over the next two to three years.

The Phil is not yet in a position to start seeking funding for its plans, but wants to have a serious discussion with the city council and Arts Council about its future development.

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s star conductor, Vasily Petrenko, has five years left on his contract.

And bringing forward viable plans to upgrade the Philharmonic Hall is likely to be a “key factor” for the Russian.

Mr Eakin said the drawing up of plans was at an early stage, but there was a real need to find a solution to the cramped facilities for both musicians and concert-goers. He said the board of the Phil had not made any concrete decisions yet about the best way forward.

Liverpool council has been shown concept plans that would cost between £30m and £40m and involve building on the car park and over Caledonia Street.

The second concert hall would be smaller than the current 1,800 seater venue.

The current hall would continue to be used, but the second hall would provide a more “flexible space”.

Mr Eakin said artist impressions had not yet been drawn up, but consultants had looked at what was possible.