The developers behind Bristol's long-awaited new arena say they're still making "good progress" one year since the site hosted its first big gig. It's been exactly a year since Queen and Adam Lambert played at the Brabazon Hangars, where YTL Bristol Arena will eventually open.
The rock legends rehearsed in front of an invited audience of about 100 special guests in the historic structure, which is located on the former Filton Airfield and was the birthplace of Concorde. Since that milestone performance, however, the arena's target opening date of 2024 has been pushed back to 'late 2025 or early 2026'.
YTL confirmed the new opening date in January but said it will be even bigger when it does open, with an improved design meaning it could push up capacity from 17,000 to 19,000. At the time, the arena's CEO Andrew Billingham said: "We have been making good progress on the development of YTL Arena Bristol and are now entering the final stages of design and talking with major contractors."
Read more: Pictures show Filton Airfield being dug up to build huge new neighbourhood and arena complex
This week, a spokesperson for the arena told Bristol Live that the final stage "is now currently underway and we are making good progress". The arena is also recruiting for a key position, head of security, with the closing date for applications listed as today (May 23).
The job advert, which did not specify a start date or salary, said the role would involve "helping to create unforgettable live experiences for 1.4m annual visitors across 140 live events". It added that the arena will be the fourth largest in the UK, and will "put Bristol on the world stage for live music and entertainment".
YTL has previously said that live music will make up the majority of events at the arena, but the "unique" bowl design will accommodate a range of events including sports, comedy and family shows. As well as the main arena space the hangars will house the 3,000-capacity Runway Bar, the 'festival hall' offering floor space for exhibitions and shows, and 'The Hub' - a venue to 'eat, work and play' in.
Although it might be a while until the arena site in real life will start to match the CGIs, the new homes being built nearby by YTL are taking shape more rapidly, with the progress clearly visible from the road. The new 'Brabazon' neighbourhood will eventually accommodate up to 6,500 homes with a park, restaurants and other facilities, and the first residents moved in back in September 2022.
The development as a whole has been pitched as "a new playground for Bristol’s next generation", with residents able to enjoy "iconic events, the latest amazing exhibitions and the best in live music at the arena". But YTL also said it wanted to meet the "changing needs of our ageing society", so today it announced a new phase of the development for hundreds of retirement homes.
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