NEC Group pulls out of £50m city music venue after months of uncertainty

Bradford Live and Bradford Council have today confirmed efforts are underway to find a new operator for Bradford Live, the newly renovated, entertainment centre on the site of the former Bradford Odeon.

This follows a decision by the NEC Group to withdraw from its operator role, stating that the venue “will be better served by an alternative operator.”

Following a strategic review of its business, the NEC Group says it will instead focus on its existing operations in the Birmingham area.

Bradford Council and the NEC Group have agreed settlement terms to release NEC from the contract that was in place for them to run the venue. NEC says it will step away from Bradford Live “with immediate effect.”

Bradford Live and the council say they will now look to identify a new operator as soon as possible.

The council and NEC explained that they had been unable to provide any significant detail on the situation relating to Bradford Live until now, whilst negotiations were taking place.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, said: “Bradford Live is a major part of our ongoing investment in revitalising the city for the benefit of the whole district.

“It is a magnificent venue, something which the NEC recognise. But after being a founding partner with Bradford Live years ago, their business plans have changed. We respect their position and wish them well.

“It’s been very frustrating that we have had to remain so tight-lipped but at all times we have followed expert legal advice to protect the interests of the venue and the council.

“Advice from the sector leads us to believe there are a number of potential operators who have shown initial interest in the venue.

“We are now in a position to have further discussions with them about the opportunity. We can’t say more about this at this stage given the commercially sensitive nature of discussions.

“We are aiming to have the venue operational in 2025 to host events as part of Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture.“

Lee Craven, founding director of Bradford Live, added: “Bringing this much-loved building back to life has been a huge task spanning years and involving many tough challenges.

“Throughout, we have had the steadfast support of Bradford Council, who have never wavered in their commitment.

“The result is a world class music venue whose quality exceeds even our own hopes. We look forward to securing a new operator soon who can do justice to the building’s potential and make Bradford Live a ‘must play’ venue for major touring acts.”

Mark Cowgill, Bradford Chamber of Commerce’s president, said: “The news that the NEC group has pulled out of the Bradford Live project is of course disappointing.

“However, It does spell the end for months of speculation as to the venue’s future.

“We now have a great opportunity for a new operator to come in and run one of the best music and entertainment venues in the whole country.

“With Bradford set to become UK city of culture. In 2025 this venue will play a key role in shining a spotlight on everything that Bradford has to offer the country and indeed the world.

“The chamber remains confident Bradford Live will be an absolute game changer for the city and for the north of England, and will prove to be a huge success in the years to come.”