SMG Europe has been chosen to run what will become Britain’s most exciting concert and entertainment venue when it opens in Leeds.
A worldwide search for an operator to run what will become Britain’s most exciting concert and entertainment venueended this afternoon when senior councillors named SMG as their preferred operator for the multi million pound facility.
SMG is one of the world’s biggest arena operators and in the UK runs the MEN Arena in Manchester, the Metro Radio Arena and Journal Tyne Theatre in Newcastle and the Odyssey in Belfast. In mainland Europe it also manages The König-Pilsener Arena and Loreley Amphitheatre in Germany, and the Oslo Spektrum in Norway's capital.
SMG was also awarded the contract to operate the major venues for the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, the largest multi-sports event ever held in Britain with competitors from over 70 countries.
SMG was one of six companies – from the UK, Europe and America – which submitted bids to run Leeds Arena, proving the huge international interest in what is happening in the city.
Detailed specifications for the arena have yet to be decided and will involve input from SMG, but it is expected to have around 12,500 seats; have an entertainment focused layout; be able to cope with national and international scale music concerts; be built to allow maximum flexibility of use, so various types of events can be held and be designed so it is sympathetic to its chosen location.
Some of the cost will be met with money generated by the sale of Leeds Bradford Airport.
Once completed, the arena will bring significant benefits to the city of Leeds. It is estimated an extra £28m will be contributed each year to the local economy as visitors coming to the arena take part in a range of other activities and spend money while they are in the city.
Cllr Andrew Carter, council leader and executive board member for development said: “Choosing an operator for the new Leeds Arena has been a difficult task, because of the high quality and standard of all the bids.
"SMG has a great track record and expertise in running arenas and it’s fantastic to have the company on board. The fact we’ve had interest from across the world in what we’re doing in Leeds also says a lot. This is a city which leading companies want to invest in. Let nobody doubt our determination to deliver a top class and popular music venue in the city.”
John Sutherland, MD SMG Europe said: “We are very excited about this tremendous opportunity to bring to Leeds a world class entertainment venue.
"The arena is long overdue and will be an important centrepiece for the city and region on many levels, and we are committed to its success. This state of the art venue will enhance the reputation and stature of Leeds as a modern and vibrant city with facilities which attract the top performers from around the world, and rival those of any European competitor.”