Bringing the beat back to Bradford
4 Dec 2019
We took a bunch of very lucky competition winners and local influencers behind the scenes here at Bradford Live – and because we couldn’t take you all around the building, here’s a little round-up of what went down.
First of all, we just want to give a massive thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for their continued support - they are the guys who are helping us achieve our goals and bring the beat back to Bradford.
We were so happy to open our doors to a group of very lucky people who were able to get a first hand glimpse of the current position of Bradford Live - and it's safe to say they loved it.
The beauty of our venue is that everyone has a different connection to the building - some had the their first date in the Odeon, some went dancing back in the 60's, others are yet to experience the venue in all it's glory...that's why it's so important we get the buzz back in the city when we open the doors in 2021.
Now, we could spend forever banging on about how great our venue is, but we thought we'd let the guys who joined us on the tour do it for us...
Behind every building is a million stories. Boarded up, derelict buildings that would have once been breathtakingly ornate inside and out. We walk and drive past these stuctures daily, without any thought for what they once might have been, or who frequented them...
Today I was invited to tour a building in Bradford that, in its heyday, would have been filled with Bradford's elite. Drinking, dining and dancing. I remember it as Bradford Odean Cinema with its plain interior and twin screens.
I never really gave much thought to what it might have been before. Never did I think it would be so incredibly absolutely beautiful behind the plasterboard, paint and carpets.
In 2021 this building will open to the public as a live music venue. Stripped back to its former glory. .
Swipe through these photos and just imagine the memories that lurk within the peeling walls, incredible detail and ornate ceilings. .
Imagine how amazing this is going to be for #Bradford in 2021! 💛
Lyndsey Thomas - @girlaboutyorkshire
And check out these photos from George Wood...
Was a privilege to be invited by NEC for a tour of the Bradford Odeon. Excited to see what the future brings for the place! 👌 #bradfordlive #bringthebeatbacktobradford pic.twitter.com/jhn4nRDojT
— George Wood (@georgewoodphoto) December 3, 2019
Finally, check out these amazing words from the very lovely Sunshine Sarah...
Yesterday I went along to #Bradford with @bradfordlive to visit the old Odeon building which is in a severe state of disrepair following its closure in 2000. -
It was due to be demolished in 2003 & replaced with offices, but this was scrapped when the regional development agency itself was abolished in 2012! 😱
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Ownership of the Odeon was transferred to the Homes and Communities Agency who in turn handed it over to Bradford for £1 in 2013. 💸
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In 2014 @bradfordlive's (a not for profit distribution social enterprise) plan to create a live music venue was approved. -
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Planning permission was granted in March 2019. -
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The project has received funding & grants from Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (£357,500), the Government's Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund(£4mill) & the National Lottery Heritage Fund (£959,500)
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It is set to be a multi-purpose live events venue offering a strong calendar of world class music, comedy & family entertainment. 🎭🎤
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The building itself is absolutely beautiful & with hidden gems being discovered at every turn, you can really imagine how stunning it was in its heyday 🏤
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If you want to be kept in the loop then over to their website - www.bradfordlive.co.uk & sign up to their newsletter! @bradfordlive -
I just want to say a massive thanks to Jamie, Lee, Kirsten & everybody involved at @bradfordlive & the NEC Group for inviting me. I had a thoroughly enjoyable day & I can't wait to see it when it's open! 😊😍🎭
Sunshine Sarah
Hopefully in the future we'll look at getting some tours set up and give you guys another chance to get a glimpse of our fantastic building. Keep an eye on our social channels for updates!
