Bradford Live: Abba and Bob Marley tribute acts canceled

People who purchased tickets to “Legend: The Music of Bob Marley” and “Thank You For The Music – The Ultimate Tribute to Abba” were offered refunds, according to emails viewed by T&A.

Tickets for the shows – scheduled for November at Bradford Live – went on sale in January.

But as the T&A reported in March, tickets were withdrawn from sale – and then references to both shows were removed from Bradford Live’s official website.

No further events have been announced for Bradford Live so far.

The former Odeon cinema, in the heart of the city, is currently being transformed into Bradford Live, which the official website describes as an “exceptional purpose-built entertainment center for music, comedy, sport and family events at Bradford.”

In December last year, those behind the multi-million pound regeneration project said the iconic domed venue would be handed over to “live events leader” NEC Group “by mid-2024” , with organizers previously saying Bradford Live’s launch season will take place this fall.

However, Birmingham-based NEC Group refused to reaffirm its commitment to Bradford Live, despite multiple requests from the T&A over several weeks, leading to intense uncertainty.

The email regarding the cancellation of ‘Legend: The Music of Bob Marley’ at Bradford Live was sent to customers by Ticket Factory, part of the NEC Group.

The full email states: “We are emailing to inform you that the Legend: The Music of Bob Marley show, which was due to take place at Bradford Live on November 29, 2024, has been cancelled.

“Please see the statement below from the promoter:

“‘Unfortunately, the Legend: The Music of Bob Marley show will not take place at Bradford Live and all refunds will be processed accordingly.’

“The refund will be made to the original payment card within 14/28 days in accordance with our terms and conditions.

“We’re also offering a one-off 20 per cent discount to see the show at a different venue so you don’t miss out on anything this time, if you want to rebook to see the show at Millennium Square Leeds on August 1, 2024.

“We apologize for the inconvenience caused.”

The email regarding the cancellation of ‘Thank You For The Music – The Ultimate Tribute to Abba’ at Bradford Live was also sent to patrons by Ticket Factory.

This email states: “We are emailing you to inform you that the Thank You for the Music show, which was due to take place at Bradford Live on November 8, 2024, has been cancelled.

“Please see the statement below from the promoter:

“’Unfortunately the Thanks for the Music show will not take place at Bradford Live and all refunds will be processed accordingly’.

“The refund will be made to the original payment card within 14/28 days in accordance with our terms and conditions.

“We’re also offering a one-off discount to see the show at a different venue so you don’t miss out on anything this time, if you want to rebook to see the show at the York Barbican on October 17, 2024.

“We apologize for the inconvenience caused.”

The T&A has contacted the NEC Group for comment this morning.

Earlier this week, the T&A again asked the NEC Group for a public statement on the situation – and was told an update would be provided as soon as it was available.

The questions continue

As previously reported by T&A, Bradford Live has a long-term lease from the iconic building’s owner, Bradford Council.

According to Companies House, Bradford Live is a company limited by guarantee, meaning it has no shares or shareholders, with Bradford Council currently listed as the only “person with significant control” over Bradford Live.

In 2017, Bradford Live announced that the NEC Group had been chosen as operating partner for the major project, with the NEC Group stating that it would take a 30-year lease on the building and invest £2 million in conversion costs .

In 2018, Bradford Council documents stated that the Council had “committed to lending £12 million to the project, with loan repayments secured by rent from NEC”.

In Bradford Live’s full accounts to March 31, 2023, the section ‘Creditors’ amounts falling due after more than one year’ stated: ‘Included in other creditors, £13,712,457 (2022 – £5,273,702 ) owed under a loan from Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

Workers on site earlier this month (Image: Newsquest/Mike Simmonds)

Earlier this month, the T&A asked a series of questions to Councilor Alex Ross-Shaw, head of regeneration at Bradford Council.

These included questions about the overall cost of the Bradford Live project, which was put at £22 million in 2019, as well as questions about how much taxpayers’ money had already been spent on the project and how much would be spent on it in the future. .

The T&A also asked the Council if it had a Plan B for the building in the event the NEC Group pulled out of the project.

In response to questions, a Council press officer reiterated statements from previous weeks.

“There is a contract with NEC and it remains in force,” they said earlier this month.

“Construction work at this world-class site is progressing as planned and is expected to be completed in June.”

The Council has previously stated that questions regarding deeds and tickets should be directed to the NEC Group.