Tim Ronalds Architects’ collaboration with Bradford Live, a not-for-profit social enterprise, working in conjunction with Bradford City Council, have converted a disused 1930s ‘super cinema’ into a large-scale music and entertainment venue.  Known as ‘Bradford Live’, this 4000-capacity cultural hub will host events for over 270,000 people each year. 

Complex alterations and extensive repair works were required to bring the building back into use.  Inside, the beautifully engineered brick and steel structure of the auditorium has been purposefully left exposed.  The plaster interiors of the main surrounding spaces were restored but painted in a vibrant new colour scheme.

Alongside the main auditorium are two smaller performance spaces: the magnificent ballroom and cabaret bar, and smaller function rooms. The range of spaces of different size and character enable the building to be continuously in use, catering for simultaneous events of different scales and natures.

The look and spirit of Bradford Live is a combination of new and old.  The building once again has become the focal point for the city centre, a venue revived and adapted to meet the needs of a regenerating City and the wider region.