Bradford Council received £5.3m payout from company that pulled out of running new venue
The local authority has revealed NEC Group paid out a multi-million pound sum, after breaking an agreement to run Bradford Live
Last updated 9th Jul 2025
Bradford Council has revealed it was handed a £5.3m payout by the company which pulled out of running the new Bradford Live venue last year.
NEC Group decided to walk away from plans to run the former Odeon cinema in the city centre, but its only now been revealed the company had to pay a substantial sum to break the agreement.
Bradford Council took the case to the Information Commissioners Office, which has now ruled its in the public interest to reveal the size of the payout.
A new operator has already been found for the venue with Trafalgar Entertainment investing £3m in fitting the building out.
Opening season will see performances from Bill Bailey, Joe Pasquale, Brian Conley and Shane Richie.
Midge Ure is due to visit next year as part of his 2026 tour.
Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “We’re very pleased that the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) has ruled today that there is public interest in releasing the settlement amount for Bradford Live."
"This is the result we wanted. As people can see we secured a significant settlement from the NEC that protected the interests of the Bradford District taxpayer.
"We waited for the ICO appeal decision before publishing, given that there was an agreement with NEC which made such information commercially confidential.
"With the opening season for Bradford Live under the fantastic new operator, Trafalgar Entertainment, starting next month we can now all look forward with excitement to a wonderful future for this amazing building.”