The Lib Dems re-opened St Georges Hall, of one of Europe's finest civic buildings, on St Georges Day - April 23rd after a £multi-millon makeover.

Liverpool will celebrate the £23m restoration of its neo-classical masterpiece - St George's Hall - by hosting twice-nightly Son et Lumiere displays recounting the city's past 800 years.

The building, which Labour had wanted to demolish, has had a massive, five-year makeover to a leaking roof, crumbling walls and rotten fittings as well as the installation of several new features, and is one of the highlights of Liverpool's 800th birthday celebrations. It will be marked by a series of other spectacular events, including:

• The rarely seen, 30,000-piece hand-crafted Minton tiled floor in the Great Hall will be on display for the first time this century.
  
• A series of concerts by Liverpool musicians, such as the 2006 BBC Young Musician and Composer of the Year Mark Simpson, in St George's Concert Room. A new work of art interpreting the city's coat of arms by the acclaimed Singh Twins.
  

• A new sculpture of St George slaying the dragon with a Liver Bird rising as a phoenix.

First opened in 1854, St George's Hall was the result of two design competitions for a civic and court venue, both won by architect Harvey Lonsdale Elmes for his 'Acropolis-like' vision. Queen Victoria described it as 'worthy of ancient Athens'. Fitted with the world's first modern-air conditioning system and largest piped organ at the time, it hosted famous cultural events such as Charles Dickens' world premiere reading of The Christmas Carol.

The courts closed in 1984 and only the Great Hall has been in use since. The building, however, has become a symbol for the city, as a focal point for everything from remembrance services to football cup parades and rallies to vigils - most notably the death of John Lennon in 1980.

From April 23 the building, which lies at the heart of Liverpool's Cultural Quarter and World Heritage site, will feature:

• New Heritage Centre with innovative public tours called Truth and Justice; Power and Glory. 
• New street level access at South Entrance from St John's Lane.
• Upgraded courts, Judge's robing room and prison cells - on show for the first time.
• New community exhibition centre available for hire to societies and groups.

St George's Concert Room restored to original finishes and new 450-seat capacity.The Heritage Centre tours will be self-guided, powered by hand-held digital devices, and tell the story of the building, its role as a cultural venue and as a Crown Court - having held famous trials such as the Cameo murder case, 'the man the from the Pru' and Florence Maybrick, wife of chief Jack the Ripper suspect James Maybrick.

Councillor Warren Bradley, Lib Dem Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: ''The restoration of St George's Hall has provided Liverpool with its greatest 800th birthday present.  It has been our sleeping giant - and its potential is finally being fulfilled. It now looks as good as the day it first opened and this new lease of life is a potent symbol of Liverpool's renaissance. The re-opening signals an exciting new chapter in the building and city's history.''