A BRADFORD MP has praised the "phenomenal" progress made in transforming the former Odeon building. 

Imran Hussain, Labour MP for Bradford East, visited the iconic building as its transformation into Bradford Live gets well underway.

The project will transform the key city centre building into a 4,000 capacity live events venue, as well as providing multi-purpose conference and meeting spaces, due to open in autumn 2022.

The building will be run by Birmingham-based NEC Group, which has made a 30-year commitment to operate it.

Mr Hussain said: “Despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on work at the site, the progress that we have seen at the Odeon has been phenomenal, and I want to thank all those who have made it possible for us to get to this stage where we are looking at one of the final pieces of the Bradford city centre regeneration jigsaw slotting into place.

“However, it has not been easy with numerous obstacles on this long journey, and lobbying for the £4 million in Government funding that was needed to help finally get work underway on the Bradford Odeon, one of the city’s crowning jewels, remains one of my proudest achievements.

“There is no doubt that when it opens, the Odeon will be a major boost for Bradford, bringing trade and tourism, supporting good jobs right throughout the district and acting as a catalyst for investment, and I know that after so long, we are all looking forward to seeing the Odeon reopen to the public as soon as possible.”