Bradford Council, together with developers Bradford Live, have announced that they will bid for funding from a new Government pot set up to use culture to regenerate parts of the North. The news comes after Bradford Civic Society launched a campaign to make sure Bradford was considered for funding from the government’s Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund.

Bradford Live and Bradford Council have now confirmed that they also see the Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund as a golden opportunity to bid for cash that will transform the former Odeon building into a live music, entertainment and conference venue.

Bradford Council Leader, Coun Susan Hinchcliffe, said: “This is a great opportunity for the Odeon. I think it’s just the kind of project which would provide the Government with a tangible, prominent legacy for their investment.

“The venue would bring in thousands of extra visitors into the city centre each year, adding another vital piece of the jigsaw to Bradford’s regeneration.”

Lee Craven from Bradford Live said: “We are totally committed to bringing this iconic building back into use and ensuring Bradford is back on the touring circuit for major music acts.

“We have a vision that the building could also be used for conferences and other creative uses as it sits in a superb central location. Renovating the Odeon building will complement the adjacent Alhambra Theatre, completing the vista from the multi-award winning City Park.

“Huge progress has already been made and a successful bid to this Fund would be another leap forward to achieving that aim.”

The first round of bids for the Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund is being coordinated by Local Enterprise Partnerships including Leeds City Region.

Bradford Civic Society will be taking its members inside the Odeon building at the end of August for an exclusive tour and development update.

You can find out more about our campaign and sign the petition here.