Company signs 25 year deal to run Bradford Live as council predicts £500m economic boost
A brand new live venue has been built inside the city's former Odeon Cinema
Last updated 10th Apr 2025
Bradford Council has revealed the details of a contract its signed with the company which is to run the city's newest live entertainment venue.
Bradford Live has been built inside the city's former Odeon Cinema, with Trafalgar Entertainment being announced as operator earlier this year.
The local authority has confirmed the firm has agreed to a 25 year lease of the venue, with a profit-sharing arrangement meaning an extra £17m of income for the council over that time.
Bradford Council estimates the total economic value of the lease could reach £580m.
Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said:
“Now that Trafalgar Entertainment are confirmed as the operators, we are happy to reveal the details of the contract."
"This project is about so much more than the money though; Bradford Live is a building the people of Bradford campaigned to save, and we did.
"It's a building of social and cultural significance which has now been restored as one of the premier venues in the country with a bright future ahead under the expert management of Trafalgar Entertainment, who we’ve been delighted to welcome to Bradford.
“We’re also delighted to be hosting Yorkshire Day during our year as UK City of Culture and what better way to celebrate than the first concert at Bradford Live celebrating all things Yorkshire.
"This is just a taste of all the amazing things to come at this stunning venue and we’re all looking forward to seeing the main programme of events being announced by Trafalgar in the near future”
Bradford Live will host the Bantam of the Opera Choir on August 1, but we don't yet know about any other bookings.
Trafalgar are yet to confirm the opening acts for the new venue, which is undergoing a £3m fit out.