Launch date confirmed for city centre entertainment venue

Bradford Live has revealed it will be opening its doors for the launch season in autumn 2024.   

The venue, which will be within the redeveloped former Odeon cinema and Top Rank Bingo club, aims to welcome 300,000 visitors each year to a host of events once it begins operating.

Led by general manager Darren Moore, visitors can expect top music acts from the British, Asian, and international music scenes, along with comedians and family entertainment.

Bradford Live, will be handing the venue over to operator, the NEC Group, by mid-2024, before the group completes the final fit out in the following months.

Moore said: “Talks with interested promoters have been well underway for months, so it is great to confirm that the venue’s transformation is now at the phase where we are able to formally contract events.

“In the coming months, we will start to reveal them subject to promoters’ announcement timelines, so watch this space.

“In the meantime, I encourage everyone to sign up to our mailing list, so they are the first to hear the latest news.” 

Redevelopment of the prominent building in central Bradford is breathing life back into the 1930s landmark.

The venue’s ballroom will become a 500-person capacity space for hosting entertainment, conferencing and banqueting events, while the main auditorium will be reinstated to house an audience of over 3,000 fans.

Bradford Live will also provide high-quality catering to suit all dietary requirements.

Lee Craven, of Bradford Live, said: “Our vision is to create a cultural hub for the region that will celebrate the city and venue’s heritage, while ensuring world-class event spaces for generations to come.

“It’s been a long journey, but the launch season is now in sight.”

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, portfolio holder – regeneration, planning & transport at Bradford Council, added: “This is another important milestone for this amazing project that will help transform Bradford for many years to come.

“There’s been so much hard work to get to this point and knowing the launch season is moving ahead really brings home how exciting Bradford will be when we are UK City of Culture in 2025.”