A BRADFORD MP who has supported the restoration of the former Bradford Odeon building has expressed his excitement about its reopening next year following a site visit.

Bradford East MP Imran Hussain has been involved in the plans since the very beginning, lobbying ministers for extra funding for the project, which was ultimately granted in the form of £4 million of Government support from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in March 2018.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Mr Hussain has backed the project since the beginningMr Hussain has backed the project since the beginning

Originally opening in 1930 as the largest ‘picture palace’ in England outside London, the Bradford Odeon site in the city centre has been abandoned since closing its doors in 2000.

It faced numerous threats of demolition and, at one point, a mixed-use scheme called The New Victoria Place was selected by a panel of competition judges as a scheme to replace the Odeon.

However, campaigners fought for the existing building to be retained and Bradford Live, now in cooperation with the NEC Group, was awarded a contract by Bradford Council to re-develop the building.

While the redevelopment has faced additional difficulties with new challenges uncovered during the process of stripping the building due to the age of the structure, the Odeon is on course to reopen over 20 years after it closed next year, in time for the celebrations taking place as Bradford hosts the UK City of Culture 2025.

Under Bradford Live’s current plans, the Bradford Odeon will be transformed into a mid-sized, live performance venue, and has been backed by some of the music industry’s most well-known acts, including Status Quo and the Kaiser Chiefs who have all declared that the Odeon is set to become a key location on the UK touring circuit.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The site is expected to be ready next yearThe site is expected to be ready next year

Speaking following a visit to the site, Mr Hussain said: “Long before it fell into disuse and disrepair, the Bradford Odeon, its magnificent architecture and its distinguished history have been one of the crowning jewels of Bradford city centre, and I’m incredibly excited to see the Odeon well on its way to reclaiming that former glory.

“As we approach Bradford’s moment in the spotlight as UK City of Culture in just two and a half years, the Odeon’s success and redevelopment as one of the most important aspects of the successful bid are also more important than ever in cementing our place as the cultural capital of the UK.”