THE chair of Bradford Civic Society has said the NEC Group's "radio silence" over Bradford Live is doing "serious harm" to the city.

Extensive work has been taking place to transform the former Odeon cinema into Bradford Live, a promised "outstanding entertainment centre", as part of a taxpayer-backed £50.5 million project.

It was previously stated the highly-anticipated venue would launch this autumn, just in time for Bradford being UK City of Culture in 2025.

But with autumn only weeks away, no opening date has been confirmed, no acts have been announced since the cancellation of two tribute shows at the venue in March, and questions are continuing to be asked about the involvement of the NEC Group in the scheme.

Last week, the Telegraph & Argus published an open letter to Bradford Council, Bradford Live and the NEC Group, stating we - and many of our readers - do not feel those involved in the project have been transparent enough overall so far.

The open letter contained a series of key questions - one asked the NEC Group if it still envisaged itself operating Bradford Live. The NEC Group failed to respond.

According to Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport, as well as a director of Bradford Live, the NEC Group has "a contract to operate the venue" and "the legal processes relating to handover to the NEC Group are progressing".

It remains to be seen when Bradford Live will launchIt remains to be seen when Bradford Live will launch (Image: Newsquest/Mike Simmonds)

'We deserve answers'

Si Cunningham, chair of Bradford Civic Society - who used to be a Labour councillor alongside Cllr Ross-Shaw on Bradford Council - has this week urged the NEC Group to provide answers "as a matter of urgency".

He told the T&A: "Recent images of the completed Bradford Live development show what a tremendous venue this should be for Bradford and the wider region.

"However, it is becoming increasingly obvious that there are doubts over who will be operating it and when it will open.

"We have heard statements from Bradford Council and Bradford Live, yet the radio silence from the NEC Group - the apparent operators - is concerning.

"We already know that Bradford Live has lost out on major national events - and questions will be asked about its readiness to serve as a venue for 2025, a key promise made as part of securing UK City of Culture status.

"NEC's silence is beginning to do serious harm to Bradford's regeneration efforts and its reputation as a cultural destination.

"We call on them to clarify their position as a matter of urgency.

"The people of Bradford, members of Bradford Civic Society, and many local organisations have rallied round to preserve this building and make it a success.

"They deserve answers."

Repeated questions

The T&A has repeatedly put questions and concerns to the NEC Group regarding Bradford Live for nearly six months now - but no comments have been provided for the people of Bradford.

We have been in touch with the firm on a number of occasions this week - but again no comments were provided.

We have also put questions and concerns to New York-based investment firm Blackstone, which owns the NEC Group, but no response was received. 

In 2017, developer Bradford Live announced the NEC Group had been chosen as operating partner for the venture, with the NEC Group stating it would take a 30-year lease on the building and invest £2m towards the conversion costs.

Earlier this week, the T&A put to Cllr Ross-Shaw that Bradford Live would not open any time soon.

He said "it's a matter for the NEC, not a question for me to answer" - but the T&A pointed out it was also a matter for him as he is a director of Bradford Live and portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport.

He referred us to his response to our open letter, which said: "Bradford Live is a fantastic performance space.

"We know there is lots of excitement and interest about its opening.

"Looking at your detailed questions, most of these are really for the NEC who have a contract to operate the venue. So, I will leave it for them to answer.

"The legal processes relating to handover to the NEC Group are progressing."