New operator announced to run £50 million Bradford Live venue
A new operator has been announced to run the new Bradford Live music venue after a “challenging” 12 months that saw the original operators pull out.
Trafalgar Entertainment, which runs 21 venues across the world, including the Olympia Theatre in London and the Theatre Royal Sydney in Australia, will now take on the city centre venue.
The £50m venue which was formerly an Odeon cinema and Gaumont before that, was due to open as a live music venue in November.
However, in a shock announcement in September, operators NEC pulled out of the venue, saying it would be “better served by an alternative operator.”
The decision left Bradford Council searching for a new operator for what is seen as the biggest regeneration scheme in the city centre.
On Monday, 17 February, the council announced that after a competitive tender process, global live entertainment company Trafalgar Entertainment had been named as the new operator.
Sir Howard Panter, co-founder of the company, said their immediate priority was “supporting and promoting Bradford as the UK City of Culture 2025.”
It is expected that the venue will be open by autumn, and Trafalgar has also been in discussion with Bradford Culture Company to agree how the venue can play a role in Bradford’s UK City of Culture programme this year.
The venue will have capacity for 3,000 people seated or 3,500 people standing in the main auditorium as well as other event spaces.
The former Odeon Cinema was originally built in 1930s but the building has stood empty since the cinema closed in 2000.
Trafalgar’s ambitious plans for the venue include full use of all the restored and reimagined spaces, to include conferences, exhibitions, events, weddings, graduations and banqueting events.
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council said: “I am delighted to be able to make this announcement and welcome Trafalgar Entertainment to Bradford.
"After the challenges of the last 12 months, we can now look forward to seeing this iconic part of Bradford’s history open and playing a big part in Bradford’s future.
"The venue will be fully open in Autumn this year, and playing a part in our UK City of Culture celebrations prior to that as promised."
Lee Craven, Founding Director of Bradford Live said: "Trafalgar Entertainment is the perfect fit for this venue, and we’re delighted at their appointment."
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