Beer festival moves due to Bradford Live delays

The opening of Bradford Live has been delayed numerous times

A beer festival due to be held in a new venue in Bradford will move to Rotherham after talks for the event broke down.

The Campaign for Real Ale's (Camra) Great British Beer Festival Winter had been scheduled to take place at Bradford Live in February 2025, but will now take place at the Magna Centre in Rotherham.

The 3,800-seat venue in the old Odeon Cinema was due to open in November, but the only announced events have been cancelled by operator NEC.

Bradford Council and NEC Group have not responded to requests for comment.

'Iconic venue'

"Sadly we were unable to secure Bradford Live," Ricky Holden, from the Bradford Camra branch, said.

"I have no idea what the delay is with Bradford Live and the opening of such an iconic venue."

After years of delays, the process of handing over venue from contractors to operator NEC Group began in July.

No update has been given since and there are questions regarding whether NEC Group will remain involved in the project.

Bradford Live was cited by the government when Bradford was awarded the City of Culture 2025, giving it the opportunity to host numerous cultural events.

Mr Holden said: "The City of Culture 2025 has lost a major event, one which would have brought many many thousands to the city.

"Hotels, restaurants and hospitality in general are going to lose out drastically.

"The event now moves onto Magna where I for one, and many other Camra members, will be doing the utmost to make the event there a huge success."

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