Featured Images: Bradford Council
Bradford Live, a newly renovated entertainment centre on the site of a former cinema in the English city, has announced it is looking for a new operator.
Together with Bradford Council, the team has said the process is already underway after NEC Group decided the venue would be better served by an alternative operator. Based in Birmingham, NEC Group has opted to focus on its existing operations in this area following a review of its business.
Bradford Council and NEC Group agreed settlement terms to release the business from its contract, with NEC stepping away from Bradford Live with immediate effect.
“Bradford Live is a major part of our ongoing investment in revitalising the city for the benefit of the whole district,” commented Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council.
“It is a magnificent venue, something which the NEC recognise. But after being a founding partner with Bradford Live years ago, their business plans have changed. We respect their position and wish them well.”
Both the Council and NEC Group have been unable to share much information on the Bradford Live project while negotiations were taking place, however the Council said it will be able to share updates such as a date for opening when a new operator is confirmed.
The 3,800-seat venue had originally been slated to open towards the end of this year.
“It’s been very frustrating that we have had to remain so tight-lipped but at all times we have followed expert legal advice to protect the interests of the venue and the Council,” continued Hinchcliffe.
“Advice from the sector leads us to believe that there are a number of potential operators who have shown initial interest in the venue. We are now in a position to have further discussions with them about the opportunity. We can’t say more about this at this stage given the commercially sensitive nature of discussions.
“We are aiming to have the venue operational in 2025 to host events as part of Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture.”
Lee Craven, founding director of Bradford Live, added: “Bringing this much-loved building back to life has been a huge task spanning years and involving many tough challenges. Throughout, we have had the steadfast support of Bradford Council, who have never wavered in their commitment.
“The result is a world-class music venue whose quality exceeds even our own hopes. We look forward to securing a new operator soon who can do justice to the building’s potential and make Bradford Live a ‘must play’ venue for major touring acts.”
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