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ASM Global to manage Sheffield’s Utilita Arena

ASM Global has been appointed to operate Utilita Arena Sheffield from January 2025, following a procurement process.

The 12,700-capacity venue first opened in the South Yorkshire city in 1991 and is the first UK arena to come to market for tender in some time.

Forthcoming concerts and events at Utilita Arena Sheffield include Peter Kay, Bill Bailey, Take That, Girls Aloud, Bryan Adams, Matchroom Boxing, Premier League Darts and Liam Gallagher. The venue is also home to Sheffield ice hockey team, the Steelers.

Under its new management with ASM Global, the venue will see significant investment into guest experience at every level, including hospitality and premium, according to a release.

The senior management team and all Utilita Arena staff will move to ASM Global under TUPE regulations.

“With the city’s rich musical history and our reputation for hosting major events, it’s evident that music runs through our blood”

“Sheffield is a city with a rich cultural heritage,” says Chris Bray, president of ASM Global Europe. “It’s known and loved for producing some of the UK’s most exciting musical talent who’ve gone on to put Sheffield on the map on a global scale. With a history of being an events city, we are delighted to be working with the council to continue to bring major events to Sheffield. Our goal is to ensure the venue is a must-play for world-class artists, and that the content is diverse, exciting and world-leading. We have exciting plans for reimagining the customer experience, too, and are looking forward to getting better acquainted with the city very soon.”

Councillor Richard Williams, chair of the communities, parks and leisure committee at Sheffield City Council adds, “This is a major step forward in our ambitious plan for the city and entertainment facilities. Though we are incredibly proud of the Arena and our current partnership with Sheffield City Trust, this new investment will allow us to compete on a global scale.”

Councillor Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council said, “Coming on the back of Sheffield hosting the MOBO Awards and with the city’s rich musical history and our reputation for hosting major events, it’s evident that music runs through our blood and this partnership with ASM Global and Utilita Arena Sheffield is another example of our ambition for this city.”

Utilita Arena Sheffield joins ASM Global’s network of more than 350 venues around the world. In the UK, the firm’s suite of venues includes AO Arena in Manchester, first direct Arena in Leeds, OVO Arena Wembley, Utilita Arena Newcastle, P&J Live Aberdeen, Olympia London, York Barbican and Whitley Bay Playhouse.

 


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Scarborough OAT breaks records third year in a row

2018 brings another record-breaking summer season for Scarborough Open Air Theatre (OAT). More than 82,000 fans have already brought tickets to upcoming performances and concert promoter Cuffe and Taylor are hopeful this number could rise to over 100,000 before the end of the season.

Scarborough OAT, Europe’s largest open-air arena, is set to play host to a series of high profile gigs in the coming months. Lionel Richie will kick off the season next Tuesday (19 June) with a sell-out show. Following Richie will be another 15 gigs, from the likes of Nile Rodgers and Chic, Noel Gallagher and Stereophonics.

With 82,000 tickets sold already, organisers are hoping the OAT will bring a multi-million pound boost to the local tourist economy in Yorkshire. Peter Taylor, director of Cuffe and Taylor, says: “The shows are not only brilliant for music fans but for the local tourism economy with visitors coming here from across the UK and around the world to see a sensational series of shows.

“The Open Air Theatre is definitely showcasing Scarborough to not only a UK but international audience.”

“To have out-sold last year’s attendance figure of 75,000 before the first show has taken place proves what an incredible line-up Scarborough OAT has this year.”

The news of the coastal venue’s successes comes after a particularly prosperous couple of years. Recently themselves acquired by Live Nation, promoter Cuffe and Taylor have exclusively booked for the Scarborough OAT since 2016 and have broken records year on year since. Building on these successes, work has also been done to increase the venue’s capacity.

Speaking about the ongoing partnership between Cuffe and Taylor and Scarborough OAT, area director for Welcome to Yorkshire Janet Deacon says: “Cuffe and Taylor and Live Nation have really taken this venue to the next level and have made it the place to go for amazing live entertainment.

“The Open Air Theatre is definitely showcasing Scarborough to not only a UK but international audience.”

 


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LN’s Cuffe & Taylor renews Scarborough OAT deal

Cuffe & Taylor, the UK regional promoter acquired by Live Nation in January, has agreed a new ten-year deal to exclusively programme all live music events at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre (OAT) in Yorkshire.

Preston-based Cuffe & Taylor, which took on programming at Scarborough OAT in 2016, will now stage all concerts at the 5,454-capacity venue – Europe’s largest open-air theatre – through 2028.

The promoter is also in discussions with Scarborough Borough Council about installing a permanent standing area in front of the stage – which currently sits on the island in the middle of a lake – increasing capacity to 7,456 (seated) or 7,900 (standing).

“We are delighted with the new and exclusive ten-year deal between Live Nation and Scarborough Borough Council to stage events at the theatre,” says Cuffe & Taylor director Peter Taylor. “Our partnership with the council has worked very well in the last two years, and this new deal allows us to continue working together to secure a bright and exciting future for this marvellous venue.

“This new long-term deal enables all parties to plan even better for the future”

“We have enjoyed two record breaking years since we took over programming live music events here in 2016, with attendances rising year-on-year. In 2017 sales again have broken all box office records.

“This new long-term deal enables all parties to plan even better for the future. The theatre is now on the map, with not only British artists but major international stars too, and we are determined to continue to bring the biggest and best acts to the beautiful Yorkshire coast.

“We are now working not only on next year’s line-up, but on 2019 and beyond. We cannot wait to reveal another wonderful series of shows for next summer, which we feel sure will break records again.”

More than 75,000 people attended concerts by artists including Little Mix, Olly Murs, Jess Glynne, Cliff Richard and the Beach Boys at Scarborough OAT this summer.

 


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