THE front facade of Bradford’s former Odeon cinema building has been fully revealed as work to convert it into a music venue gathers pace.

Bradford Live is expected to be open in 2024, a delay of a year, following a major transformation of the iconic 1930s building.

The site, which has been a cinema and theatre in the past, has been empty for more than two decades but the Bradford Live project will see the building turned into a 3,800-capacity live music venue.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A closer look at some of the work on the former Odeon building A closer look at some of the work on the former Odeon building (Image: Newsquest)

Part of one side of the building has now been fully revealed, with scaffolding and large coverings removed.

Councillor Si Cunningham (Lab, Bolton & Undercliffe) posted on social media site X, formerly Twitter, about the building’s reveal.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The former Odeon building is taking shape The former Odeon building is taking shape (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “After years of painstaking restoration the former Odeon facade is now fully revealed.” 

 

Bradford Live has a long-term lease from the building owner, Bradford Council, and has an agreement in place to sublease it to the NEC Group as operator in what is a 30-year deal.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bradford Live is set to open in 2024 Bradford Live is set to open in 2024 (Image: Newsquest)

Opening in 1930 as the New Victoria, the building changed its name to The Gaumont in 1950. For three decades after 1969, the building operated as an Odeon cinema and Top Rank bingo club, before finally closing its doors in 2000.