LG Arena pulls in the crowds in its first year
MORE than 800,000 people have attended events at the LG Arena since its £29m revamp a year ago.
The upgraded venue opened its doors for the first time in October 2009 and during that time it has staged 97 shows.
Venue enhancements included an increased capacity to 15,700, new seats, bars, merchandising outlets and the unique pre and post show entertainment zone, forumLIVE.
The revellers have drunk 120,347 bottles of pop and 63,836 bottles of water to wash down 26,179 burgers, 18,545 hotdogs, 10,614 portions of fish & chips, 9,412 pizzas and 10,724 jacket potatoes, all followed by 181,713 glasses of wine, 183,889 bottles and pints of beer and 38,485 cups of tea and coffee!
In one year, just short of 2,000 horses have graced the arena; at the Horse of the Year Show, Parelli Natural Horsemanship and the British Open Show Jumping Championships. In addition, 5,000 dogs have taken part in agility and obedience championships and other shows at Crufts.
The arena has also demonstrated its flexibility by been transformed into a ballroom (Strictly Come Dancing), basketball court (Harlem Globetrotters), ice rink (Dancing on Ice and Holiday on Ice), wrestling ring (Mixed Martial Arts and WWE), indoor football pitch (Masters Football Final), boxing ring (Magnificent Seven Boxing) and even a fairground (New Years Eve).
The LG Arena is best known as a live music venue and in its first year has welcomed artists as varied as American boy band the Jonas Brothers, to Welsh rocker, Tom Jones.
The biggest production of the year was the concert by Lady GaGa, which required 32 articulated trucks, 11 crew sleeper buses and two generators.
The biggest successes saw over 7,000 people converge on the arena for the 2010 X Factor auditions.
The LG Arena has also been recognised as one of the top arenas in the UK by a panel of industry professionals at the Live UK Music Awards this October, the only arena outside of London to be shortlisted.
Guy Dunstan, General Manager of the LG Arena said: “In one short year we have received brilliant feedback from customers and artists alike. It’s been an incredible journey and to be recognised in the industry as one of the best arenas in the UK, is acknowledgement that we are a strong alternative to London and we truly offer a world class entertainment experience.”
The venue is hoping forthcoming shows such as concerts by Mary J Blige, Linkin Park, JLS, Katy Perry, Boyzone, The Script, Westlife and Enrique Iglesias, together with the live recording of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, prove just as popular.
