The highly anticipated opening date for Bradford Live, a live entertainment venue in Bradford, remains unknown as the operator NEC has pulled out of the project, leaving the venue in limbo. The £50 million allocated for the venue has come under scrutiny, with Conservative MP Robbie Moore calling for external auditors to investigate how the taxpayer’s money has been spent.
Initially projected to cost between £22 million and £25 million, the venue has been funded by Bradford Council, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the government, and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Despite construction work being completed, the venue has faced delays and the cancellation of opening shows scheduled for November.
Moore criticized Bradford Council for its lack of transparency and mismanagement of the project, stating that local residents have been left without a clear understanding of the situation. Senior jobs advertised for the venue have not been filled, raising further questions about the project’s viability.
Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe has stated that the venue aims to be operational in 2025 for Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture. However, with the current uncertainties surrounding Bradford Live, the future of the venue remains uncertain.
As the community awaits answers, concerns about the handling of public funds and the lack of communication from decision-makers continue to grow. The call for accountability and transparency in the management of the project is becoming increasingly urgent.
