THE main contractor for the Bradford Live project will be appointed later this year.

Regeneration chiefs on Bradford Council were recently asked whether Covid 19 pandemic had impacted on plans to turn the derelict former Odeon building in the city centre to a live music venue.

Before lockdown, the plan was for the venue, which has been empty for two decades, to be open by Summer 2021.

Work to prepare the interior of the 1930s building, including stripping out 1960s cinema partitions, began last year – and the bulk of the work to the building was due to begin this year.

Inside Bradford’s Odeon as work continues ahead of Bradford Live music venue conversion

The building will become a 3,800-capacity live music venue, to be run by the NEC group.

At a recent meeting of the Council’s Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee this month, members were given an update on a number of regeneration projects in the aftermath of the Covid 19 pandemic.

Ben Middleton, assistant Director of Estates, said the long awaited project was “progressing well” despite a national lockdown, and the uncertain future of many existing music venues.

He said: “The NEC remain fully committed to the project.

“Like many things, lockdown has made site visits more difficult, but the scheme continues to move ahead.

“We expect the main contractor will be appointed by Bradford Live later in 2020.”