Bradford Live confirms launch date for autumn 2024

The former Odeon building on Godwin Street has been empty for 23 years and is due to open as a 3,800 capacity venue in 2024

Bradford Live has announced that it will open its launch season in autumn 2024.

The former Odeon building has been empty for 23 years, with work continuing to transform the site into the 3,800 capacity Bradford Live venue.

Operator NEC Group said it expects the developer to hand over the venue in the middle of next year, enabling it to complete the final fit.

It said visitors could expect top music acts, comedians and entertainment.

General manager Darren Moore said: "Talks with interested promoters have been well underway for months, so it is great to confirm that the venue's transformation is now at the phase where we are able to formally contract events."

The venue is expected to attract 300,000 visitors each year, hosting more than 200 events.

Its 1930s ballroom will become a 500 person capacity space for hosting entertainment, conferences and banqueting events and the main auditorium will be able to house over 3,000 people.

The front of the building will have a large screen advertising upcoming concerts and events

Alex Ross-Shaw, portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport at Bradford Council said it was an "important milestone" for the project.

"There's been so much hard work to get to this point and knowing the launch season is moving ahead really brings home how exciting Bradford will be when we are UK City of Culture in 2025."

The building opened in September 1930 as the New Victoria and was the largest picture palace built in England outside London and became the Gaumont in 1950 hosting some of the biggest music stars such as Buddy Holly and the Beatles.

It became an Odeon film centre and Top Rank Bingo club in 1969, but closed in 2000 and was threatened with demolition.

After a grass-roots campaign to save it developer Bradford Live took it on in 2012 and reached agreement with NEC Group as operators in 2017.

Lee Craven, from Bradford Live, said it had been a long journey, but the launch season was now in sight.

"Our vision is to create a cultural hub for the region that will celebrate the city and venue's heritage, whilst ensuring world-class event spaces for generations to come."