A CITY regeneration chief has insisted there is "strong interest" in the Bradford Live venue as the search for a new operator continues - but opposition councillors have claimed his comments "ring hollow".

On September 19, it was announced that the Birmingham-based NEC Group had exited the Bradford Live scheme - and a search for a new operator for the £50.5 million taxpayer-backed venue had begun.

This week, the Telegraph & Argus asked Bradford Council how that search was progressing - with the start of Bradford 2025 City of Culture just weeks away.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport, who is also a director of Bradford Live, said in a written statement: "We are progressing at pace to identify a new operator and can assure everyone that there is strong interest in the venue, and we are confident it will play a strong role in our year as City of Culture.
 
"The commercially sensitive nature of the discussions means we aren't able to provide updates as regularly as we would like, but as soon as these are concluded we will update everyone."

'Kept in the dark'

Cllr Rebecca Poulsen, leader of the Conservative group on the Council, expressed a lack of faith in Cllr Ross-Shaw's latest comments.

She said: "The reassurances from the portfolio holder that things are moving apace and that there is strong interest from potential operators ring hollow due to déjà vu - we’ve heard the same soothsaying for too long now.

"It is extremely frustrating that we are again waiting to hear about the future of Bradford Live. 

"I really do wish that we could feel more confident in what we are being told, but we are now into November and City of Culture starts in exactly two months' time.

"Residents and councillors are all being kept in the dark over the future of Bradford Live, which should be a key venue for City of Culture."

During a Bradford Council meeting last month, the Tories brought - and lost - a vote of no confidence in the authority's Labour leadership.

Cllr Poulsen added: "We didn't bring a vote of no confidence for no reason - and it doesn't surprise us that the radio silence from the Council is again in place, with commercial sensitivity again deployed as justification."

The Bradford Live building back in 2008 before it was restored - but when will it open as a 'world-class entertainment centre'?The Bradford Live building back in 2008 before it was restored - but when will it open as a 'world-class entertainment centre'? (Image: Archive)

Cllr Brendan Stubbs, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Bradford Council, said he feared Bradford Live would not open until later in 2025.

"Obviously it's not an easy task taking on a new company to operate a multi-million-pound venue like this - it can't be done overnight - so I don't think it's going to open any time soon," he added.

"Think of all the paperwork, all the discussions, all the negotiations, everything else - I personally don't think it'll all get sorted until the last quarter of next year.

"There's also the remaining fit-out of the venue to take into account - and what acts will we get there? Other nearby venues are already announcing big names for 2025.

"Many millions of pounds of taxpayers' money is tied up in this venture - and it needs to be serving its intended purpose and generating an income, but obviously that's not going to happen while it continues to sit empty."

New FOI request submitted on settlement terms

On September 19, a joint statement from Bradford Council and the NEC Group said: "Bradford Live and Bradford Council announce that a process is underway to appoint a new operator for Bradford Live.

"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.

"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."

Details of the settlement terms have not been provided - but the T&A has submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to Bradford Council to try and get answers. 

Bradford Live had previously been expected to launch around this time of the year, with those behind the scheme claiming it would be a "world-class entertainment centre".