Beer contest moved out of city as venue talks end

Camra was in talks to hold a beer competition at Bradford Live

A national beer competition that had been planned for Bradford will not be held in the city after negotiations broke down with the venue's operator.

The Campaign for Real Ale's (Camra) Champion Winter Beer of Britain competition was due to be held at Bradford Live in February 2025.

But Camra said the venue's operator NEC Group had "not been able to complete" contractual agreements.

The BBC has contacted NEC Group for comment.

Ricky Holden, from the Bradford Camra branch, said: "We have been trying to arrange this event since almost the beginning of the Bradford Live development.

"Initially we thought it could be from 2024 but opening was delayed.

"Then we tried for February 2025-2028, a minimum of four years subject to the viability initially.

"Since December 2023, we have been trying to negotiate the terms of our arrangement with the NEC Group.

"Unfortunately the NEC Group has not been able to complete the contractual agreements."

'Jewel in City of Culture crown cast aside'

The saga around when Bradford Live will open has been ongoing since two tribute act shows were removed from its website.

NEC, the company responsible for booking acts for the venue, has not said when a show would go ahead at the former Odeon cinema.

Customers began receiving refunds for two tribute act shows in May.

Mr Holden added: "The festival was to be a very large event with the possibility of attracting around 4,500 customers each day.

"All the Camra branches in Yorkshire and members from beyond were ready to put on a great event."

The event would have been one of numerous cultural events on offer in 2025 as Bradford celebrates being the UK City of Culture.

Mr Holden said that "a major jewel in the City of Culture crown has been cast aside".

He said that Camra would seek an alternative venue for the 2025 event, but this would not be in West Yorkshire

Tom Walling, deputy managing director at Bradford at Night - an organisation supporting nightlife, culture and arts - said: "It's disappointing that such a great event can’t be accommodated in the city, especially with 2025 rapidly approaching.

"It's clear that if there are concerns with NEC and Bradford Live, they're complex and frustratingly, it's impacting the city."

He added: "Bradford at Night remains firm in its support for all stakeholders on the Bradford Live project and hold no doubt that the venue will open."

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]