Bristol arena opening delayed to 2027 at earliest
Bristol’s long-delayed arena project will not open for concerts until 2027 at the earliest, according to a fresh update.
It was previously hoped work on the 19,000-cap YTL Arena Bristol, planned for Filton Airfield, would begin this year and be completed by late 2026, but a start date for construction is yet to be set.
Speaking to the BBC, developer YTL says it is still in the “enabling works” phase of the scheme.
“We are also on the runway and surrounding area completing major infrastructure to support the arena,” adds a spokesperson.
Final plans for the venue were submitted in May, with artist impressions showing the airfield’s Brabazon Hangars transformed into the UK’s fourth-largest indoor arena, flanked by new conference and exhibition halls. The scheme also includes restaurants and bars, an outdoor cinema, basketball and football courts, a pump track for cycling, a Christmas ice rink and huge public squares.
“We’re pleased with the progress and are pushing forward, albeit slower than originally planned”
The development will be the only arena in the South West of England, but has already experienced a number of delays related to Covid and the construction industry, with site preparation finally beginning in March.
“We’re pleased with the progress and are pushing forward, albeit slower than originally planned,” said Andrew Billingham, CEO of YTL Arena Bristol in his most recent update earlier this year. “We have tackled challenges head-on making crucial decisions to expedite the opening while ensuring we deliver one of the premier arenas in Europe. Once main construction has started, we estimate it being a two-and-a-half-year build programme.
“It is well documented that construction companies are facing difficulties, and with the international experience the YTL Group has in construction and project management, it is a logical step for us to control the whole process through to operation.”
Located in the South West of England, Bristol is the biggest city in the UK without an arena, with plans for such a venue first drawn up more than 20 years ago. A previous plan for a city centre arena near Temple Meads was scrapped in 2018 because of risk to the taxpayer.
Its current largest indoor venues are the 2,100-cap Bristol Beacon and 1,600-cap O2 Academy Bristol, although its 32,000-cap Ashton Gate Stadium has hosted concerts by acts including the Spice Girls, Take That, The Killers, the Rolling Stones, Arctic Monkeys, Muse and Elton John.
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SMG, Live Nation awarded Bristol Arena contract
SMG Europe and Live Nation have been jointly awarded the contract to operate the new Bristol Arena.
The two companies, who were announced as the preferred bidders for the contract in December 2014, have agreed a 25-year lease with Bristol City Council on the 12,000-capacity venue, which is expected to open in spring 2018.
Bristol is currently the only major UK city without an arena.
“SMG Europe and Live Nation bring the combined expertise of two global businesses experienced in running arenas worldwide and delivering successful programmes of concerts and events,” comments Bristol councillor Helen Holland. “The flexibility of the arena design also offers the opportunity to produce a really exciting and varied programme for the Bristol Arena.
“The combined experience and expertise of SMG Europe and Live Nation is going to make Bristol Arena one of the most exciting arenas to open in the UK for a long time”
“I am very committed to maximising the employment and training opportunities for local people for this important cultural venue for the city and region and I look forward to working with the operator to achieve this.”
John Sharkey, SMG’s executive vice-president of European operations, adds: “We’re delighted to be one step closer to bringing world class entertainment to the south-west. The combined experience and expertise of SMG Europe and Live Nation is going to make Bristol Arena one of the most exciting arenas to open in the UK for a long time.”
SMG, the world’s largest venue operator, was sold to private-equity firm Ares Capital for US$3.43 billion, or $14.95 per share, in June.
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