MAGIC OF THE MOVIE THEATRE
Firm’s key role in refit of city’s architectural gem
BACK IN its heyday, the old Bradford Odeon housed a huge auditorium where such music legends as The Beatles, Buddy Holly and Tom Jones once graced the stage.
Now, following the announcement that the NEC Group International is to be the new operator of this historic building, the venue has taken a major step towards becoming a world-class venue once again.
The venue management firm, which runs the UK’s largest conference and exhibition centre and two of the country’s busiest arenas, will take a 30-year lease on the building and invest £2m towards the conversion costs, with the transformed Odeon expected to open in 2020 – 90 years after it first opened.
The deal has been welcomed by both Bradford City Council and Bradford Live as a significant moment in the city’s continuing regeneration.
Bradford Council Leader, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, said the NEC Group had a proven track record in its field. “They have the ability to create a fantastic live events venue at the heart of our city in the historic Odeon.”
Coun Hinchcliffe added: “The venue will bring new entertainment and cultural opportunities to Bradford, supporting our local economy by increasing visitors to the city, attracting investment and delivering jobs.”
Phil Mead, Managing Director of NEC Group Arenas, said: “Bradford Odeon, once restored, will breathe new life into an historic building which has played a pivotal role in the city’s past. The redeveloped venue, as part of the ongoing regeneration of Bradford city centre anchored around City Park, will deliver jobs and investment and transform the live event and entertainment offer of the city.”
The Odeon announcement has also attracted support from big names in the music business. Leeds-based rock band Kaiser Chiefs said it would make a “brilliant venue for the North”, while Francis Rossi, of Status Quo, praised the building’s “great history”.
Bradford Live project director Lee Craven, the man who has spearheaded the bid to restore the former cinema, said the NEC Group’s support was hugely important. “This is the key that unlocks the whole project. It’s about finding the right operator and we’re sure that NEC is the ideal operator for the Odeon.”
Mr Craven said Bradford Live’s ambition was to create a thriving 4,000-capacity live music and entertainment venue.
He insisted: “It will be one of the best live music venues in the country, not just the region.”
As well as the main auditorium, the magnificent 1930 art deco ballroom will be restored to its original splendour to host weddings, conferences and other events.
Bradford city centre has undergone a transformation over the past five years thanks to high-profile schemes such as City Park, the Westfield shopping complex and the subterranean novelty of Sunbridge Wells.
The restoration of the old Odeon building is another key piece of the jigsaw. Mr Craven said; “It’s critical to Bradford’s evening and night time economy, which is where the city still suffers a bit.
“But with the Odeon coming online the momentum is in the city’s favour. This is a real breakthrough day for the Odeon and for Bradford.”
This is a real breakthrough day for the Odeon and for Bradford. Lee Craven, Bradford Live project director.
BRADFORD’S ICONIC Odeon building came very close to demolition. Now, a decade later, it is on the cusp of an exciting new chapter in its history. The announcement that NEC Group International has been chosen as its operating partner is not only good news for the future of this landmark venue, which has played host to stars like Dame Shirley Bassey and Sir Tom Jones, but it is crucial to the continued regeneration of the revitalised city itself.
Bradford spent decades languishing in the doldrums and though it has been criticised in the past, the city council deserves credit for supporting Lee Craven and the Bradford Live team who have worked so hard on the project to restore this once magnificent building.
The success of City Park and the Westfield shopping complex have helped transform the city centre and the restoration of the Odeon building is another major piece in the jigsaw. After years of false dawns, Yorkshire’s former textile capital is flourishing once again – long may it continue.