THE Telegraph & Argus is today calling for answers to put an end to the mounting uncertainty surrounding a multi-million pound regeneration project in Bradford.

Building work is currently taking place to transform the former Odeon cinema in the city centre into Bradford Live - but for several weeks now, questions and concerns have been raised locally over the highly-anticipated entertainment venue.

In December last year, the Birmingham-based NEC Group said the developer, Bradford Live, would hand over the venue to the NEC Group "by mid-2024", with organisers previously stating the launch season for Bradford Live would take place this autumn.

However, amid the "extremely damaging radio silence", the T&A is now calling for clarity on the situation after:

Bradford Council this week said a contract it has with the NEC Group "remains in place" - but no confirmation has been given by the NEC Group after repeated questions from the T&A over several weeks.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The former Odeon in Bradford city centreThe former Odeon in Bradford city centre (Image: T&A)

Today, we say that enough is enough - and the paper’s stance has been echoed by a number of local MPs.

Philip Davies, Conservative MP for Shipley, described the situation as "extremely concerning".

He added: "Bradford Council and the NEC Group need to let people know what is happening.

"This radio silence is extremely damaging and people deserve to know what is happening."

Naz Shah, Labour MP for Bradford West - which includes the city centre - said: "Bradford Live is set to provide hope for future world class events to be held in Bradford, bringing talent and regeneration into the heart of Bradford.

"The uncertainty ... is a cause for concern and at the very least people should be provided with the latest updates to stay informed."

Judith Cummins, Labour MP for Bradford South, added: "A successful Bradford Live will be a huge boon to the city centre and we all want to see the venue succeed.

"I encourage stakeholders to ensure that any matters are quickly resolved."

Imran Hussain, Labour MP for Bradford East, said: "After securing £4million of Government funding six years ago for the restoration of the Odeon to get underway, I'm now deeply concerned by the cloud of uncertainty hanging over the project.

"Backed by some of the music industry's biggest acts, the Odeon will be the best mid-sized live performance venue in the north, and the NEC Group must end their silence and provide clarity on the Odeon's reopening now.

"With the Odeon also a final piece in the city centre's redevelopment and with Bradford hosting the City of Culture next year, both the NEC Group and Bradford Council need to urgently provide answers to people's concerns."

A Bradford Council spokesperson told the T&A this week: "There is a contract with NEC and that remains in place.

"Building works at this world class venue are running to schedule and on target for practical completion in June."

A Bob Marley tribute act and an Abba tribute act were the first two shows to be announced for Bradford Live, pencilled in for November at the promised 3,800-capacity venue.

But people have been unable to buy tickets for either event for more than a month - and now the shows are no longer mentioned on the Bradford Live website.

Entertainers - the production company behind the Bob Marley and Abba tribute acts - has not responded to questions from the T&A.

According to the Bradford Live website - which still references the NEC Group - the venue "will play host to over 200 world class events every year".

However, with the launch season just months away, no further acts have so far been announced for Bradford Live.

Darren Moore, who was appointed general manager of Bradford Live last July, left the role in February this year, according to his professional LinkedIn page.

The NEC Group did not comment on who - if anyone - now holds that key role when asked by the T&A today.

As previously reported by the T&A, Bradford Live has a long-term lease from the iconic building's owner, Bradford Council.

According to Companies House, Bradford Live is a private limited company by guarantee, meaning it does not have shares or shareholders, with Bradford Council currently listed as the only 'person of significant control' for Bradford Live.

In 2017, Bradford Live announced the NEC Group had been chosen as operating partner for the major project, with the NEC Group stating it would take a 30-year lease on the building and invest £2m towards the conversion costs.

In 2018, Bradford Council documents stated the Council had "committed to lending £12m to the project with the loan repayments secured against NEC's rental".

In the full accounts for Bradford Live up to March 31, 2023, the 'creditors amounts falling due after more than one year' section stated: "Included within other creditors is £13,712,457 (2022 - £5,273,702) due in respect of a loan from Bradford Metropolitan District Council."

The T&A has asked Bradford Council how much public money in total it has so far put into the Bradford Live project as a whole, and how much public money it intends to spend on it in the future - but no response was provided.

In 2019, the T&A reported that the overall cost of the Bradford Live project had risen to more than £22m.

It was also reported that West Yorkshire Combined Authority had contributed £357,500 towards the redevelopment of the building, while the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport had awarded £4m to help with the transformation.