News / Arts
‘Milestone’ as Arena operator announced
Image of First Direct Arena in Leeds which is run by Live
The UK’s biggest arena operator will run the new Bristol Arena. SMG will work in partnership with Live, the UK’s largest international live entertainment company, to operate the 12,000 seat venue.
The preferred operator was announced by Mayor George Ferguson, who told cabinet members that he believed it represented a “fundamental milestone in the development of the new arena”.
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He added that the bid is a “good deal for the city”.
Wes Westley, from SMG, said he was “delighted to be named the preferred bidder,” and the combined experience of SMG and Live would “ensure that the Arena is operated at a world class level with top events for Bristolians and the South West”.
Paul Latham, from Live Nation Entertainment, said the company was “confident” of making the Bristol arena a “must play destination”.
Final negotiations are still continuing but, when complete, the operator will be awarded a 25 year contract to programme the venue and maintain and manage the Arena.
Last month the shortlisted design teams for the arena were announced, following a Royal Institute of British Architects design competition.
The shortlisted architects and engineers are:
Grimshaw – architects of the Eden Project,
Idom Ingeneria y Consultoria – designers of the Bilbao Arena,
Populous – architects of the London Olympics Stadium,
White Arkitekter – masterplanners for Kiruna, Sweden
Wilkinson Eyre – architects of the Liverpool Arena.
Proposals from each design team will be displayed in public in January.
The £90 million, 12,000 capacity arena will be built on the former diesel depot site, next to Temple Meads railway station.
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