Bradford's £50m Music Venue Unveiled
The first glimpse inside Bradford's new £50m music venue, Bradford Live, has been revealed.
Built on the site of the city's old Odeon cinema, the 3,800-seater concert hall is scheduled to open later this year, ahead of Bradford's 2025 UK City of Culture designation. Construction has reached "practical completion," and the venue is now ready for its final fit-out, according to the Bradford Council.
While the official opening date remains unannounced, questions linger about the involvement of the contracted operator, NEC Group. However, the council has confirmed it will commence the handover of the building to the NEC Group this week.
The photographs released showcase the completed hallway, stage, stalls, walkways, and lighting of the venue. The council described the completion of the project as a "milestone" achievement and an "exciting day for Bradford."
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, the council's portfolio holder for regeneration, expressed his enthusiasm for the venue's potential: "Not only has an iconic building been saved, but it has been given an incredibly exciting new future as one of the region's best live entertainment venues."
He further emphasized the project's contribution to the city's regeneration: "Bradford Live will play a crucial role in the regeneration of our city centre, improving Bradford as an entertainment destination, attracting new visitors and offering employment and economic opportunity for our district."
The total cost of the project has reached £50.5m. The majority of this funding, nearly £44m, comes from the local authority, with the remainder contributed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), the government, and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Bradford Live is wholly owned by a company of the same name, which is ultimately owned by the Bradford Council.
This ambitious project, which involved the complete renovation of the old Odeon cinema site, is poised to bring a new era of entertainment to Bradford, solidifying its position as a vibrant cultural hub and attracting visitors from across the region.
