By Edward Trower-
Plans to transform a dilapidated cinema into a 4,000-capacity music venue has received a £4m of government funding.
The restoration project to restore Bradford’s vacant Odeon cinema was awarded the cash from the Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund. The financial injection for the restoration comes from its share of £15m which will also benefit cultural projects in the Lake District and Blackpool, Arts, Heritage and Tourism Minister Michael Ellis
Last September, plans were announced to re-open the 1930s cinema as a major live music venue and the NEC Group International signed a 30-year lease as the preferred operator.
Experts believe the million pounds boost to the local economy will attract financial benefits to the region that could greatly influence the quality and attraction of the Odeon. It is expected to host of 200 events a year, attracting over 250,000 people a year.
AD: Capeesh Restaurant
Michael Ellis, Minister for Arts, Heritage, and Tourism, said: “This £4 million investment will not only bring a beloved historic building back to life but will give Bradford a long-awaited live music venue to put the city back on the touring map.
“This is an important piece in the regeneration of Bradford and will create a cultural venue to be enjoyed by its young and diverse population.”
Other recipients of funding are Blackpool, which has received £4 million for a museum about the town’s history, and the Lake District, which will get £3.29 million to enhance visitor experience to the World Heritage Site.
AD: Oysterian Sea Food Restaurant And Bar
Roger Marsh OBE, chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, said: “This project will bring a much-loved building back into use, provide an exciting new facility and support the continuing economic transformation of Bradford city center.
“A rejuvenated Odeon will be a valuable addition to the vibrant cultural offer of the Leeds City Region.
“The fact that the Leeds City Region bid is one of just three to secure funding from this fund shows the strength of the case we put forward in partnership with Bradford Council and Bradford Live and the power of the vision we share for Bradford and the wider area.”
EMPTY
”The Odeon has stood empty for far too long, but once restored, it will stand in place as the truly iconic venue that it is, in a regenerated city center and revitalized Bradford, bringing thousands of visitors and representing the rebirth of our city as one of the places to be.”
Northern Powerhouse Minister, Jake Berry, said: “These multi-million-pound cultural investments in Blackpool, Bradford, and the Lake District represent a major economic and cultural boost for the Northern Powerhouse.
“From converting a vacant cinema into a state-of-the-art venue to improving access to the UK’s newest World Heritage site, these investments will have a transformative effect, benefitting local communities by creating new jobs while increasing tourism from across the UK and further afield.”
Sir Cunningham, chair of Bradford Civic Society, said: “This is yet another great day for Bradford as part of our city’s continued efforts to bring this much-loved building back to life.
“Ever since Bradford Live first unveiled their ambitious proposals for a new world-class music venue, the grassroots support for the rebirth of the Odeon has been overwhelming.
“I’m especially happy that Bradford Civic Society has been at forefront of this final push for funding, and very proud of our members, who’ve campaigned tirelessly to save the building and even rolled their sleeves up to get in there and give it a bit of TLC earlier this year.
Once completed, developers expect the venue to host more than 200 events a year, attracting 270,000 people to Bradford city center annually with a £10 million boost to the local economy.
Michael Ellis, Minister for Arts, Heritage, and Tourism, said: “This £4 million investment will not only bring a beloved historic building back to life but will give Bradford a long-awaited live music venue to put the city back on the touring map.
“This is an important piece in the regeneration of Bradford and will create a cultural venue to be enjoyed by its young and diverse population.”
Other recipients of funding are Blackpool, which has received £4 million for a museum about the town’s history, and the Lake District, which will get £3.29 million to enhance visitor experience to the World Heritage Site.
Roger Marsh OBE, chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, said: “This project will bring a much-loved building back into use, provide an exciting new facility and support the continuing economic transformation of Bradford city center.
“A rejuvenated Odeon will be a valuable addition to the vibrant cultural offer of the Leeds City Region.
“The fact that the Leeds City Region bid is one of just three to secure funding from this fund shows the strength of the case we put forward in partnership with Bradford Council and Bradford Live and the power of the vision we share for Bradford and the wider area.”
AD: Heritage And Restaurant Lounge Bar
