Bradford Live ‘confident’ MP venue to open

A Bradford MP has said she is “confident” the city’s new music venue will open despite uncertainty over its future.

Work on Bradford Live is due to be completed in June and the former Odeon cinema has been handed over to the NEC group for broadcasting.

Naz Shah, who represents Bradford West for Labour, was asked about the lack of information from the NEC after two concerts announced for November were removed from the venue’s website.

Bradford Live and NEC Group did not respond to requests for comment.

“Work is going on,” Ms Shah said.

“The builders are there on site. I have high hopes that we will have Bradford Live.

“I’m confident we’ll get it, but let’s wait and see as I don’t know the finer details of these negotiations.”

Referring to speculation about when the venue would open, Ms Shah added: “Yes, of course there will always be concern if there are reports in the papers that Bradford hasn’t got there.

“What I don’t want to say is that we have problems here when I know full well that Bradford and the people of Bradford are working really hard for Bradford 2025.

“But of course these are things we have to take into account.

“We have to work to restore investors’ confidence.”

In April, a spokesman for Bradford Live said: “Bradford Live has a contract with the NEC to deliver this venue and we are working on that contract.”

He added: “We are on track to reach practical completion by June.

“All questions regarding operation and programming should be directed to the NEC.

“We look forward to unveiling this amazing and unique venue to the people of Bradford.”