Bradford Live reveals part of restored Odeon building

It is the first time that the restored brickwork at the 1930s former cinema and theatre will be fully visible, as work continue to turn it into a music venue.

The project is one of the biggest regeneration schemes in the city and work has been carried out over a number of months.

Lee Craven, the man behind the Bradford Live scheme, told the Telegraph & Argus that the scaffolding and wrap was being taken down on the eastern facade of the building section by section, so that checks on the restored brickwork can be made as they go.

One of the towers and domes at the former Odeon building in Bradford city centre (Image: Newsquest)

He added that the impetus behind the scaffolding being removed now was that Bradford Council was due to start some public realm works in the area.

He said that this will be the first time that people will be able to see that particular side of the building since its restoration.

Inside the former restaurant block on Thornton Road, where Bradford Live has replicated the original decorative plasterwork (Image: Bradford Live)

“We're very delighted with the way it came out actually - it looks tremendous.

“The white section, that’s been quite battered over the years. It needed a good clean and some repairs doing and it has come out really well.

“It’s basically glazed terracotta – we’ve replaced some blocks that were really badly damaged and couldn't be repaired.

When the building was completely covered (Image: T&A)

“We've tried wherever possible to repair the blocks and clean them as we wanted to keep as much of the original as possible.

“The whole bottom section of the building is terracotta and we’ve had to replace quite a lot there because they were smashed or damaged.

“We’ve still got some construction work going on there at the bottom as a couple of openings need creating, such as fire exits. And a big screen will be going in on the central section early next year.

A close up on one of the towers at the former Odeon building in Bradford as it is restored by Bradford Live (Image: Newsquest)

Of the big reveal, he added: “It really does look like a new building.”

Once complete, the prominent building will become a 3,800 capacity live music venue, which is to be operated by the NEC Group.

Inside the former restaurant block on Thornton Road, where Bradford Live has replicated the original decorative plasterwork (Image: Bradford Live)

Originally it was expected to open late last year, but extra work was uncovered as the renovation got underway, meaning any opening date was pushed back to autumn 2023.

Now it is expected to open next year, after the renovated building is handed over to the NEC Group for fit out in spring 2024.