Hunt for companies to help shape regeneration of city landmark

Businesses across West Yorkshire can help breathe life into Bradford’s major new entertainment venue, as the next stage of a historic regeneration project gets underway.

From IT to facility management, food and beverage to printing, businesses in the local area are being invited by the team at Bradford Live to be a part of the ambitious project at the disused former cinema in Bradford city centre.

The Bradford Live venue will create around 50 full time equivalent positions upon completion, as well as a further 60 temporary construction jobs.

It will occupy what had been an Odeon cinema and Top Rank Bingo club before the property shut its doors in 2000.

Faced with demolition, a grass-roots campaign group fought successfully to save the building.

In 2012, Bradford Live took up the challenge, with a brief to find a long-term viable use for this property. That ambition was fulfilled in 2016, when Bradford Live secured the NEC Group as the venue’s future operator.

Bradford Live intends to welcome 300,000 visitors each year to a host of events when it opens late 2022.

It is prioritising the local and regional market for suppliers from all sectors and is set to host a supplier day in mid-September, offering nearby companies the chance to meet with Bradford Live’s operating team.

The supplier day will be co-hosted by NEC Group’s food and beverage director Marc Frankl and director of partnerships and media, Chris Pile.

They said: “The next stage of the Bradford Live project is now underway as we search for local companies to help shape the future of the venue.

“We are so excited to take the next step in regenerating this landmark and we want businesses that feel they can add to the project, to get in touch and join us on the journey.

“This is an open call, no matter what your specialism, whether you are a potential supplier, sponsor or future contractor we want to hear from you.”

Keighley-based contractor RN Wooler & Co Ltd was recently appointed as main contractor for the project.