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Sheffield objects to Leeds plans for an arena

17 November 2008

Sheffield International Venues – one of the north’s largest entertainment, leisure and sport groups - is objecting to plans to build a 12,500-seat entertainment arena in Leeds with the help of Government money.

It believes the planned venue would compete for similar business and threaten the viability of the 13,000 Sheffield Arena run by Live Nation on behalf of SIV and  built with Sheffield City Council funds.

The Sheffield Arena is successful thanks to a wide range of events, from concerts like Coldplay and the Killers to entertainment shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and Disney.

SIV bosses and council leaders say it is inappropriate for the Government-backed regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward to help finance the Leeds arena.

"An arena in Leeds will seriously damage our business in Sheffield and it will cause job losses. We estimate it will cost Sheffield a £1million per year," said Steve Brailey, chief executive of Sheffield International Venues.

"I could understand Leeds residents and the council wanting their own arena and if they decide to use council funds in this way Sheffield would have to accept it.

"But we object if Yorkshire Forward is helping to fund the project. They should not be funding an investment in one part of our region that will seriously damage the business of an existing venue".

Mr Brailey added: "There is also nothing in Yorkshire Forwards own Regional Economic Strategy (RES) that identifies the need for an Arena in Leeds.  We also question the business plan for the Leeds venue. It is unrealistic and it will the Leeds ratepayers will have to help fund the investment."

Local MP Clive Betts (Sheffield Attercliffe) said he would be lobbying Yorkshire Forward "very hard" to rethink its support for the Leeds project. "There is no justification for it and I'll be asking Yorkshire Forward to think through what they are doing."

A site near the Merrion Centre, with land at Elland Road as back-up, has been chosen as the location in Leeds. . The estimated cost is £30m, due to be split between the council and Leeds-based Yorkshire Forward, which is charged by the Government with improving the Yorkshire and Humber economy. The split has not yet been detailed.

Categories: SIV