Original: Because of its German ownership, the hall was seized as enemy property during World War I/O. The hall with over 130 pianos was sold at an auction to Debenhams for a fraction of its value and was re-opened as Wigmore Hall in 1917.
Simplified: Because it was owned by a German firm, the hall was seized as enemy property during World War I/O. The hall with over 130 pianos was sold at an auction to Debenhams for a very small amount of money, and was re-opened as Wigmore Hall in 1917.