DEVELOPERS behind a multi-million project to turn Bradford’s former Odeon cinema into a music venue have given an update on work on the building’s ballroom roof.

Bradford Live is due to open in autumn 2023, a delay of a year, in a major transformation of the iconic 1930s building.

The eye-catching structure, which has been a cinema and theatre in the past, has been empty for more than two decades but the Bradford Live project will see the building turned into a 3,800-capacity live music venue.

 

Bradford Live tweeted an update on the removal of the site’s ballroom roof and what the next steps of the work will be, including a giant temporary roof.

It posted: “The ballroom roof has been removed revealing the rather lightweight structure that supported it.

“This is to be reinforced before a new roof is installed.

“The giant temporary roof protects the well-preserved plasterwork of the ballroom ceiling.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: An image of what Bradford Live will look like when work is completedAn image of what Bradford Live will look like when work is completed (Image: Newsquest)

Bradford Live has a long-term lease from the building owner, Bradford Council, and has an agreement in place to sublease it to the NEC Group as operator in what is a 30-year deal.

Opening in 1930 as the New Victoria, it then became The Gaumont in 1950, followed by an Odeon cinema and Top Rank bingo club, before closing in 2000.