Further funding secured for Bradford music venue
- Details
The 1930s cinema has been vacant since 2000. The redevelopment will be one of the biggest of its type in the country outside of London and will bring Bradford back on the national touring circuit.
The venue, due to be run by NEC Group International, will aim to put on around 225 events to more than 270,000 people every year, creating 50 jobs in the city. The project is being led by a not-for-profit social enterprise, Bradford Live, assisted by Bradford Council.
Programme manager, Kirsten Branston from Bradford Live, said: “We would like to thank all those who backed the bid which has benefited from cross party support, in particular the efforts of Bradford Council and Bradford’s MPs. The redevelopment of this iconic building will be a magnificent legacy project for the Great Exhibition of the North.”
Phil Mead, managing director for Arenas and NEC Group International, added: “This is a project already generating a huge amount of excitement and goodwill – both as a building with tremendous history in its own right but also as a flagship investment that will help deliver a fantastic new venue for the city and support Bradford’s on-going regeneration as a vibrant, thriving destination. This latest funding news is a great vote of confidence in the project and warmly welcomed as another important step towards bringing the vision to life.
“We are proud to partner with Bradford Live to deliver what will be a unique addition to the UK live entertainments market. As the design and redevelopment planning continues at pace, we look forward to harnessing the full breadth and depth of NEC Group operational expertise to realise a full and diverse programme of events, set to open in 2020.”
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: “This is excellent news for the district. I want to thank the people of Bradford and especially those who campaigned tirelessly to save this vital part of Bradford’s heritage. Now it will be all hands-on deck for the 2020 opening date.”
(Jim Evans)
