Bradford Live

There’s some on here with season tickets.

 

25 yearer.

 

I wonder if the emergence of Piece Hall as a successful medium large venue could be part of what is causing the problem with Bradford Live.

As an existing space/structure, requiring very few alterations or other structural work, it wasn’t hit by the Covid hiatus or massive funding delays. So, in the post Covid recovery period it has been able to quickly move into and corner the local market for medium/large gigs (ie bigger than O2 Academy/St George’s Hall/Leeds Grand/City Varieties) but smaller than the massive First Direct Arena) while the delayed work on the old Odeon was being completed.

Something is clearly causing NEC to stall on booking the artists it is contracted to provide for Bradford Live. It’s a very difficult time for profitability in the live music scene, as the article below makes clear. Maybe the successful emergence of Piece Hall as a summer music venue hosting similar sized crowds as the Bradford Live target is contributing to NEC getting cold feet?

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/apr/25/shocking-truth-money-bands-make-on-tour-taylor-swift?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

 

Could be one of a number of mitigating factors that have lead us to the point where we are now. To be fair the venue is run by a fantastic CEO who had the foresight others didn't to push this fine venue forward. As far as I recall it struggled on the music side of things at first until they went into partnership with a company who specialise in booking acts for unique venues, I can't remember their name. They've just grown year on year since then. It has a bigger capacity than Bradford Live although it is only a seasonal venue. I'll be honest the fiasco over the venue doesn't surprise me at all, it perfectly encapsulates what the city of Bradford is all about. Don't get me wrong I think Leeds is a bastardised version of Legoland but at least the place has a future going forward, something Bradford simply doesn't have. Huge vanity projects like Bradford Live or the laughable city of culture aren't gonna save it is the same clowns at the top are involved.

 

The article Iis a good read and reminds me of another passion of mine, boxing, and how the boxers on the undercards and the smaller shows such as York Hall struggle to make a living while the big boys rake it in. With the music it's such a shame as there is no experience like seeing a band in a small intimate venue, don't think I've ever enjoyed being a big stadium sized venue, miles away from the stage watching a big screen. Might as well be watching on a TV at home.

 

The new City Park motocross circuit seems popular though

 

Aren't OASIS (whoever they are..?) looking for somewhere to play a few gigs .. ?

 

A group who two of the members are brothers that haven't spoken for 14 years according to Noel they must be hard up.

 

This doesn't inspire any confidence, the silence from City Hall and the NEC seems to tell it's own story.

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/24565809.bradford-live-nec-group-no-formal-lease-exists/

 

Any time I click on a post that anything to do with Bradford council, for full effect I always put the circus clown music on in the background. No wonder there's been no comments made lol.

 

It kind of pushes the this is the council being caught with their pants down again look doesn't it.

I mean you would think they would have learnt their lessons from the Westfield Debarcle.

 

They never get anything right but then it wasn't that long ago the people now running the show were just canvassers for local council elections. How the hell do you give folk like that project management over millions of pounds of tax payers money? It's insanity.

 

Looks like NEC and council are in legal arguments around the the lease then probably with NEC trying to get out of taking over the site claiming the council haven't ticked all the boxes correctly.

 

I'm not starting a new thread on every disaster Bradford Council currently has a hand in as it would swamp the forum, but I notice further delays are being reported for the new market, and some clown at the council is trying to pass it off as a request from the market holders and the council doing them a favour.

"
CONCERNS have been raised after it emerged Bradford's Darley Street Market would not open for several more months.

Earlier this week, Bradford Council said the city's new market hall would be "ready to open in the spring".

The initial plan was for the venue to open in autumn last year.

The T&A asked Bradford Council to explain why Darley Street Market would not open until spring next year.

A Bradford Council spokesperson responded: "As we have said previously, traders have asked that we do not disrupt their Christmas trading, and have indicated a preference to begin the task of mobilising and restocking their stalls in Darley Street Market from January next year.

"We are working hard with contractors and traders on their stall fit-out designs and plans, and have already said that the opening date is likely to be in the spring of next year.

"Once we're ready to make a formal announcement we will let people know."

The original budget for the market was £23.5 million - but this then increased to £27m, with the Council blaming high inflation rates.


I mean, that's just utter bobbins if ever I have seen it. Market holders asking not to move from a place which is pretty much dead now Primark have left the building, and to remain in an old market with very little footfall rather than move to a brand new site asap which would benefit by having people curious just to see what it is like bringing far more people in than the status quo.

The launch of the City of Culture took place on BBC's One Show last night with Laughing boy Alex R U Sure and Hinchcliffe sat front and centre in the crowd. Thankfully the BBC didn't include them in anything but you just know it was held at St George's hall simply because Bradford Live which will have been earmarked for such an event is now just an inconvient disaster in full view of City Hall.

 

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/24596341.bradford-live-nec-group-pulls-with-immediate-effect/

 

Well well well.

NEC have walked away and the council currently don't have anyone to run the site.

What a disaster once again from the council. Clearly the contract wasn't worth the paper it was written on and it's us rates payers who foot the bill.

Alex Ross Shaw and Susan Hinchcliffe no doubt carry on as if nothing has happened, zero accountability on their behalf as usual. I mean children's services was lost after the murder of a child that was flagged up numerous times and the leaders didn't think that was a resignation matter so it will be no surprise from them to shrug their shoulders at this.

Bradford Live: NEC Group pulls out 'with immediate effect' | Bradford Telegraph and Argus (thetelegraphandargus.co.uk)

 

And some wonder why I go on about the public sector? NEC have pulled out cos due to the costs spiralling out of control theres no meat on the bone after all the loans are starting to be paid back. I wouldn't be surprised after all the accounts are done (no one has paid for the still to be done final fit out) that the place will have no choice but to run at a loss as it simply can't cover the costs of the build. If this had been known at the beginning it should have either been funded by private investment or pulled down if none could be found. Tax payers money should not have been used like this when public services have been systematically cut to the bone.
Can't say I'm surprised by any of it though, this is Bradford council we are talking about here, constantly headed by the equivalent of the chuckle brothers.

 

Is anybody really surprised by this news?

 

The West Yorkshire Mayor commenting on the statement as if it's good news that the NEC has pulled out, there is no one to run the place and no definite plans going forward.

No wonder the City is in such a state.