FRESH questions and concerns are being raised after tickets for two events at a showpiece city centre venue were removed from sale.

In January, organisers announced the launch season would take place at Bradford Live - the former Odeon cinema - this autumn.

Tickets for 'Legend: The Music of Bob Marley' and 'Thank You For The Music - The Ultimate Tribute to Abba' went on sale later that week.

The shows were pencilled in for November at the new 3,800-capacity venue - set to be run by the NEC Group.

But as reported last week, Telegraph & Argus readers voiced their concerns when they were unable to access the ticket sites for the events via the Bradford Live website.

This week, a member of the public told the Telegraph & Argus they tried to get tickets for the shows via the official Box Office, the Ticket Factory, but was told it was not currently possible to purchase them either over the phone or online.

The member of the public was also told it was not known why tickets were no longer on sale - or when they would go back on sale.

Councillor Rebecca Poulsen, leader of the Conservatives on Bradford Council, told the Telegraph & Argus: "We need more transparency about this situation with the tickets. 

"People want Bradford Live to succeed, they want to see some great shows and acts there. 

"It's not going to work, though, if people can't buy tickets or if people don't know when they will be able to buy tickets. 

"There are questions - why aren't tickets currently on sale? When will they be back on sale? People deserve to know."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Tory Councillor Rebecca PoulsenTory Councillor Rebecca Poulsen (Image: T&A)

The Bob Marley and Abba tribute shows are productions by the company Entertainers.

On Monday, a spokesperson for Entertainers said: "I can confirm both shows are still going ahead."

The Telegraph & Argus subsequently asked Entertainers why tickets were not currently on sale for the shows and when tickets would be back on sale - but no response was given after repeated requests. 

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

The lack of major announcements and new information from Birmingham-based NEC Group has led to speculation and concern locally.

Amid this speculation and concern, a Bradford Council spokesperson said last week: "The NEC Group have not pulled out of the contract for Bradford Live."

The Telegraph & Argus first contacted NEC Group on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 12, 2024 and has repeatedly asked the company for comment, but not received a response.