Lottery funding setback for Bradford's former Odeon building

Bradford Live wants to turn the derelict city centre site into a 4,000 capacity venue and had hoped the money would help go towards the £18m restoration project.

However, its bid has been turned down by the Heritage Lottery Fund’s national board.

Bradford Live director Lee Craven, the man spearheading the bid to restore the 1930s building, currently owned by Bradford Council, admitted the decision was a setback but denied it had derailed the whole project.

He told The Yorkshire Post that they would wait to hear the reasons why the bid was unsuccessful before making a decision on whether or not to re-apply for the cash.

Mr Craven said: “It is a setback, but there are other ways forward and we remain positive.”

In the meantime Bradford Live will continue its discussions with private sector investors.

Bradford Live applied to the Heritage Enterprise Scheme (HES), part of the Heritage Lottery Fund, for the £5m towards renovation costs last October.

The building, which in its heyday played host to such big names as The Beatles, Tom Jones and The Rolling Stones, has been derelict since closing its doors in 2000.

Bradford Live has already spent £250,000 of its own money on the project, with more than 200,000 tonnes of concrete and 1960s fixtures and fittings removed from the site over the past 18 months.

Mr Craven said he remains committed to the project. “We are serious about this. It’s important for Bradford and we’re convinced it’s right for the city.

“We haven’t come this far to stop now. We are going to press on.”