Open letter to Bradford Council, Bradford Live and NEC Group

On Thursday, it was announced that the NEC Group had exited the £50.5 million taxpayer-backed Bradford Live project.
 
A number of people have since expressed hope for the venue's future - of course, we all want Bradford Live to be a success, as stated in our first open letter.

Questions are continuing to be asked about Bradford Live (Image: Newsquest)
But many people have also raised further concerns and queries.

We are now publicly calling on Bradford Council, Bradford Live and the NEC Group to answer these important questions within the next week:

1. What are all the exact reasons for the NEC Group exiting the Bradford Live project?

2. Why did it take so long to get to this stage?

3. An Agreement for Lease was signed by Bradford Live and the NEC Group in 2018 and set out conditions to be met before the completion of a formal lease. What did this Agreement for Lease state in full?

4. When did the NEC Group first express that it no longer wanted to be involved with the project?

5. When did Bradford Council first learn that the NEC Group no longer wanted to be involved with the project? 
 
6. What settlement terms have been agreed between Bradford Council and the NEC Group?
 
7. How much public money - if any - has Bradford Council spent to facilitate the NEC Group's exit from the project?
 
8. How much money - if any - has the NEC Group paid to Bradford Council to facilitate the company's exit from the project?
 
9. How many potential operators have so far expressed an initial interest in running Bradford Live now the NEC Group is no longer involved? 

10. When does Bradford Council expect a new operator to be appointed to run the venue? Does it expect an appointment during the remainder of this year, during Q1 of 2025, during Q2 of 2025, during Q3 of 2025 or during Q4 of 2025?

11. Will Bradford Council expect a new operator, once appointed, to pay for fit-out of the venue? If not, who will pay for this? 
 
12. When does Bradford Council expect Bradford Live to open? Does it expect opening to be during the remainder of this year, during Q1 of 2025, during Q2 of 2025, during Q3 of 2025 or during Q4 of 2025?
 
13. Over the last six months, many people have raised countless concerns and complaints over the situation with Bradford Live. Calls for resignations have also been made by many of our readers following the announcement. How does Bradford Council, Bradford Live and the NEC Group respond?

In a joint statement on Thursday, the NEC Group and Bradford Council said: "Bradford Live and Bradford Council announce that a process is underway to appoint a new operator for Bradford Live, the newly-renovated, world-class entertainment centre on the site of the former Bradford Odeon. 

"This follows a decision by the NEC Group that the venue will be better served by an alternative operator. 

"Following a strategic review of its business, the NEC Group will focus on its existing operations in the Birmingham area. 

It still remains to be seen when Bradford Live will open (Image: Newsquest)

"Bradford Council and the NEC Group have agreed settlement terms to release NEC from the contract that was in place for them to operate the venue. 

"NEC will step away from Bradford Live with immediate effect. 

"Bradford Live and the Council will now move at pace to identify a new operator and ensure the restored landmark venue will take its place as a major entertainment hub that Bradford can be proud of. 

"The Council and NEC have been unable to provide any significant detail on the situation relating to Bradford Live until now, while negotiations were taking place. 

"Further updates, and a new date for opening, will be provided when a new operator is confirmed."

As the coming weeks and months progress, even more questions will no doubt arise as the Bradford Live story continues to unfold. 

We - and many of our readers - do not feel those involved in the scheme have been transparent enough overall so far.

We now hope specific answers to each question above will be answered to help fill the huge void of information that continues to linger over Bradford Live.