Bradford Live: NEC Group withdraws ‘with immediate effect’

Bradford Live and Bradford City Council have announced that a process is currently underway to appoint a new operator for the former Odeon cinema.

Critics hope that the termination of the contract will not result in Bradford residents having to “pay a hefty bill”.

The historic venue, with its distinctive twin domes and newly installed giant screen, was due to open as a “world-class entertainment venue” this autumn following a £50.5 million taxpayer-funded redevelopment.

But with so little positive news about the opening date and no announcements about the acts, concerns are growing.

The former Odeon has been renovated and now has a large screen on the façade (Image: T&A)

A joint statement on behalf of the NEC Group and Bradford Council this afternoon said: “This follows a decision by the NEC Group that the venue can be better served by an alternative operator.”

“Following a strategic review of its business, the NEC Group will focus on its existing activities in the Birmingham area.

“Bradford City Council and the NEC Group have agreed a settlement to release NEC from its contract to operate the venue.

“NEC will withdraw from Bradford Live with immediate effect.

“Bradford Live and the City Council will now move swiftly to find a new operator and ensure that the restored, Grade II listed venue takes its place as an important entertainment centre that Bradford can be proud of.

“The Council and NEC have not been able to provide any significant details of the situation relating to Bradford Live until now whilst negotiations have been ongoing.

“Further updates and a new opening date will be provided once a new operator is confirmed.”

The superbly restored interior of the building (Image: Bradford Council/BradfordLive)

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford City Council, said: “Bradford Live is an important part of our ongoing investment in revitalising the city for the benefit of the whole borough.

“It’s a great venue and the NEC recognises that.

“But after being founding partners of Bradford Live years ago, their business plans have changed.

“We respect their position and wish them all the best.”

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe spoke about the announcement (Image: Newsquest) “It was very frustrating to have to remain silent like this, but we have at all times followed the advice of competent legal experts to protect the interests of the venue and the Council.

“Based on the information received from the industry, we assume that several potential operators have shown initial interest in the plant.

“We are now in a position to have further discussions with them about this possibility.

“Given the commercially sensitive nature of the discussions, we cannot comment further at this time.”

“Our aim is to open the venue in 2025 and host events as part of Bradford’s year as UK Capital of Culture.”

The former Odeon building, taken last month after its conversion into Bradford Live (Image: Newsquest/Mike Simmonds)

Lee Craven, founding director of Bradford Live, said: “Bringing this much-loved building back to life was a huge undertaking, spanning years and involving many difficult challenges.”

“We have had the unwavering support of Bradford City Council throughout, who have never wavered in their commitment.

“The result is a world-class music venue whose quality exceeds even our own expectations.

“We look forward to finding a new operator soon who will fulfil the building’s potential and make Bradford Live an essential venue for major touring acts.”

Councillor Stubbs wasted no time in asking a series of questions about what the announcement means for Bradford taxpayers. (Image: T&A) Brendan Stubbs, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: “After months of silence, we finally have confirmation that NEC is leaving Bradford Live. Let’s hope the termination of the contract will not result in local residents being left with a hefty bill.”

“Bradford Live still needs to be fitted out and the Liberal Democrats are demanding that NEC foot the bill. The Labour leadership must protect vital services that should be a priority for the council, not pour millions more into Bradford Live.”

“Under no circumstances can we justify pouring more public money into this case while NEC withdraws.”

The interior of the building now looks great (Image: Bradford Council/Bradford Live)

Councillor Stubbs added: “NEC and the Labour leadership have wasted months on this already. We need to see a clear plan from the council that will get the venue up and running with a new operator in the next few days. It will take months to get the venue ready to open and we cannot allow Bradford Live to remain closed during the Capital of Culture year.”

“NEC has let Bradford down; the Labour leadership has let the cost of this project spiral out of control. The whole saga needs an auditor’s inquiry to find out why the council is managing these major projects so poorly. Labour is cutting services to people across the borough to pay for their incompetence. They must stop hiding behind a wall of silence.”

A spokesman for Bradford Civic Society said: “Today’s announcement brings long overdue clarity from the parties involved and hopefully means a new operator for Bradford Live can be found quickly. It feels like a cloud has lifted over the city.”

“The Bradford Civic Society, along with other organisations, has long and successfully campaigned to restore and reopen this magnificent building. It is thanks to the people behind Bradford Live that it has been brought back to life after two decades of decay.”

“With the opening of Darley Street Market, the Transforming Cities works and the City Village plans emerging, the next 12 months promise to be an exciting chapter in Bradford’s regeneration. Many people will be relieved that Bradford Live will now also play a starring role.”

This was one of several images released when the restoration was virtually complete. (Image: Bradford Council/Bradford Live)

The building, previously known as the New Victoria and Gaumont Theatre, closed in the summer of 2000 and a new Odeon multiplex cinema opened in Thornbury.

The story of the 1930s building took many twists and turns in the years that followed. It was threatened with demolition and activists formed the Bradford Odeon Rescue Group (BORG) to save it, which they ultimately succeeded in doing.

In mid-2013, it was announced that the building had been sold to Bradford City Council for the symbolic price of one pound – which activists said was “good news for the city”.

The council invited people interested in developing the former Odeon to submit detailed plans.

Bradford Live took up the challenge and made a major announcement in 2017 when Bradford Live secured the NEC Group as the future operator of the venue.