THE new operator of Bradford Live has said the grand building will be “not just a great venue for Bradford, but one for the whole of England.”
Sir Howard Panter, joint CEO of Trafalgar Entertainment and co-founder Dame Rosemary Squire said they are planning to host around 90 events at the venue in the next financial year, and said despite Trafalgar’s theatre background there would still be a big focus on live music at the venue.
Bradford Council’s Leader said the venue had been an important part of Bradford’s past, and was now going to play a key role in its future.
Trafalgar were announced as operators of Bradford Live last week, and have now given more details of their vision.
The auditorium has a capacity of up to 3,500 people. A grand ballroom space will be used for events and conferences. The venue also has numerous different bars.
The building’s boiler room has been transformed into a bar that is due to hold comedy nights and acoustic concerts.
Photographs of the venue over the years will adorn certain rooms of Bradford Live, along with film posters from its days as a cinema and posters of music heavyweights that have played their in the past.
The building has a long history in the city. Built in the 1930s as a cinema, it later became the Gaumont Theatre, hosting acts such as the Beatles and Rolling Stones.
It was then converted back into a cinema, run by the Odean chain, with the original auditorium divided into two screens and a bingo hall.
The cinema shut in 2000, and has remained empty since.
But after numerous campaigns to reopen the building, a group called Bradford Live took on transforming the building into a live music venue.
The cost of the project has spiralled over the years, with Bradford Council having spent £50m on the Bradford Live Project – double the original budget.
Last year it was announced that the original operators NEC Group had pulled out of the venue, raising questions about its future.
The Trafalgar Group were announced as the new operator earlier this month, and will run the venue on a 25 year contract.
Bradford Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: “This is quite an emotional day for the people of Bradford. If you’re not from Bradford you won’t realise how much people care about this building. It is part of the city’s social history.
“It might be where your parents met or where you went on your first date.
“It was very much part of growing up in Bradford, and we’re so pleased to show how it’s now part of people’s future as well as their past.
“It is part of the Culture lead regeneration of Bradford.”
She pointed out other cultural developments planned in the city centre, including Brit School North, due to open in the city centre in either 2027 or 28, and Kala Sangam, which is being refurbished and is due to reopen as Bradford Arts Centre later this year.
Sir Howard praised the “quite remarkable tenacity” of all those involved in transforming the venue from a derelict cinema to a grand concert venue, including the Bradford Live group. He said: “It is extraordinary what you have done, and it will pay dividends for Bradford.
“My dad was from Bradford, and I know how proud he’d be that I’ve become the current guardian of one of Bradford’s great buildings.”
On future acts, he said: “We’re working really hard on a programme of events, we’ve had a major comedy act say they want to come here.
“The response we’ve had has been incredible.
“This is not just a venue for Bradford, it is a venue for the whole of the UK.”
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Dame Rosemary said: “Everyone I speak to in Bradford has a story about the building, whether they came here to dance or they remember their mum coming to see Tom Jones.
“Since it was announced we were running the venue our phone hasn’t stopped ringing about events people want to have.”
There had been some concern that due to the background of Trafalgar the venue would be more theatre based than the original Bradford Live vision.
Dame Rosemary said the intention was still to have live bands play at Bradford Live. She added there would be a diverse programme, with comedy acts and family events also being held there.
With many acts booking tours well in advance, the LDRS asked whether it would take a while for the venue to host regular events.
Dame Rosemary said: “We’ll be calling in some favours, urging acts to add extra dates. The fact Bradford is City of Culture means people want to come here, that will help. Until next April we’ll be having at least 90 events, not including the events in other parts of the building.”
Sir Howard said Trafalgar was investing “millions” in fitting out the venue, adding: “We want it to have the best sound and lighting. We want it to be the best it can be.”
He said they were open to suggestions from local people of what they would want to see in the venue, saying: “Any ideas would be very welcome. Lets find some great local bands, local comedians.”
Asked when the venue would officially open, Dame Rosemary said: “The programming will start by Autumn, but we’ll be running open days.”
