TWO tribute shows which were due to take place at Bradford Live this autumn have been cancelled, the Telegraph & Argus has learned.

People who bought tickets for 'Legend: The Music of Bob Marley' and 'Thank You For The Music - The Ultimate Tribute to Abba' have been offered refunds, according to emails seen by the T&A.

Tickets for the shows - which were pencilled in for November at Bradford Live - went on sale in January.

But as reported by the T&A in March, the tickets were removed from sale - then references to both shows were axed from the official Bradford Live website.

No other events have been announced for Bradford Live up to now.

The former Odeon cinema in the heart of the city is currently being transformed into Bradford Live, which the official website describes as an "outstanding entertainment centre purpose built for music, comedy, sport and family events in Bradford".

In December last year, those behind the multi-million pound regeneration project said the iconic domed venue would be handed over to "leading live events business" NEC Group "by mid-2024", with organisers previously stating the launch season for Bradford Live would take place this autumn.

However, Birmingham-based NEC Group has declined to reaffirm its commitment to Bradford Live, despite multiple requests from the T&A over several weeks - leading to intense uncertainty.

The email about 'Legend: The Music of Bob Marley' being cancelled at Bradford Live was sent to customers by the Ticket Factory, which is part of the NEC Group.

The full email states: "We are emailing to inform you that the Legend: The Music of Bob Marley show, which was due to take place at Bradford Live on November 29, 2024, has been cancelled.
 
"Please see the below statement from the promoter:
 
"'Unfortunately, the Legend: The Music of Bob Marley show will not be taking place at Bradford Live and all refunds will be processed accordingly'.
 
"The refund will be processed back to the original payment card within 14/28 days in accordance with our terms and conditions.
 
"We are also making available a one-time 20 per cent discount to see the show at a different venue so you don’t miss out this time around, should you wish to rebook to see the show at Millennium Square Leeds on August 1, 2024.
 
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused."

The email about 'Thank You For The Music - The Ultimate Tribute to Abba' being cancelled at Bradford Live was also sent to customers by the Ticket Factory.

That email states: "We are emailing to inform you that the Thank You for the Music show, which was due to take place at Bradford Live November 8, 2024, has been cancelled.

"Please see the below statement from the promoter:

"'Unfortunately, the Thank you for the Music show will not be taking place at Bradford Live and all refunds will be processed accordingly'.

"The refund will be processed back to the original payment card within 14/28 days in accordance with our terms and conditions.

"We are also making available a one-time discount to see the show at a different venue so you don't miss out this time around, should you wish to rebook to see the show at York Barbican on October 17, 2024.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused."

The T&A has approached the NEC Group for comment this morning. 

Earlier this week, the T&A again asked the NEC Group for a public statement about the situation - and was told an update would be provided as soon as one was available. 

Questions continue

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 £2million 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."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Workers at the site earlier this monthWorkers at the site earlier this month (Image: Newsquest/Mike Simmonds)

Earlier this month, the T&A put a series of questions to Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, who is in charge of regeneration at Bradford Council.

These included queries about the overall cost of the Bradford Live project, which was put at £22m in 2019, as well as questions on how much taxpayers' money had already been spent on the scheme, and how much would go towards it in the future.

The T&A also asked the Council if it had a plan B for the building should the NEC Group withdraw from the project. 

In response to the queries, a Council press officer repeated statements from previous weeks. 

"There is a contract with NEC and that remains in place," they said earlier this month.

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

The Council previously said queries about acts and tickets needed to go to the NEC Group.