In December 2007, plans to build a 10,000-seat arena in Bristol were sadly abandoned. The reasons for this injustice were that the ever growing costs to develop an arena in the area could not be fully justified if publicly funded. At the time of abandonment the predicted costs for development were roughly reaching the £86 million marker, which I will agree is slightly more than a weeks pocket money!
However, I know I am not alone when I say that an arena is EXACTLY what Bristol needs! It would be an understatement if I said that having to travel to Cardiff or London to see any "mainstream" bands like Escape The Fate, Fall Out Boy or any other band. Only naive, money short bands dare perform at the, less than glamorous O2 Academy (formerly Carling Academy). Largely due to the stench of stale beer and the overwhelming scent of sweat, we have been very lucky to see the likes of Angels and Airwaves, Lilly Allen and MGMT perform at the Bristol Academy. Sadly there seems to be no chance of a venue to be proud of being built within Bristol anytime soon due to the millions that were emptied into the construction and development of Cabot Circus.
Artist's impression of proposed structure
Obviously what Bristol has needed this whole time is two shopping centres and not an arena....obviously!
2 comments:
I agree that we need an arena, but there are a few nice smaller venues out there that are worth mentioning too. Places like The Fleece, Louisiana, Anson Rooms, The Croft, etc are all pretty good venues but they are much more intimate than arena venues.
However, I do think that for bigger bands like Oasis and the such, having an arena will make them feel more inclined to play in Bristol.
I highly agree! It would do so much for Bristol, and actually make us stand out on the map, as at the moment there is NOTHING worth travelling here for! Spains even got a "big" Primark...
It's such an annoying issue having to travel from place to place to see a decent gig, there's like what, 4 actual decent sell out gigs a year at the Academy?
Also, think of the increase of money into the economy a large arts & entertainment venue would bring! People would travel from all over, using Hotels, Shops, Trains, Coaches - Bristol bus station would actually then be discovered, as at the moment it's pretty hidden! It could even decrease Bristol's unemployment rate.
Convert Ashton Gate into a Bristolian Wembley!!
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