Big Jeff Johns responds to petition to rename Colston Hall after him: “There’s a lot of people who have fought harder to have their voices heard”
before the UK lockdown was implemented back in March.A new campaign is now aiming for Jeff to be immortalised in the Bristol venue’s name when it re-opens after a major redevelopment.At present, it is named after Edward Colston, a prominent 17th Century slave trader who has been a controversial figure in the city for many years.The petition, which has been signed by more than 1700 people, calls for the venue to be named ‘Big Jeff Hall’ when it re-opens in 2021 following a £48.8 million transformation.Speaking to NME about the campaign that’s being run in his honour, Jeff said: “Part of me feels flattered, but there’s also a part that feels overwhelmed.