(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) —
SMG Europe has been selected to manage and operate
the new GBP40 million, 10,000-seat Bristol Arena, scheduled to open in 2009. The
multi-purpose arena will host a wide range of concerts, shows, sporting
events together with exhibitions and conferences.
The SMG-Orion Land and Leisure Ltd-led consortium,
Bristol Waterside Arena Ltd (BWA), was chosen to develop and build the new
facility. BWA also includes Bellway PLC and Sir Robert McAlpine.
"We had excellent proposals from both consortia but selected BWA because of
their unrivaled worldwide experience in both developing and operating of arenas,
the strength of their team and the exciting plans they proposed for Bristol."
stated Ian Thompson, South West Regional Development Agency Head of Operations.
"We are looking forward to working together to deliver a venue which will serve
the whole of South West England and help establish Bristol as a leading European
City.
"There is a great opportunity to fill a definite need in the South West of
England for a major entertainment facility" continued John Sutherland, managing
director, SMG Europe. "I am personally excited by the role SMG Europe will play
in putting Bristol on the map as a destination for world class sports and
entertainment. Bristol and the south west of England deserve a first-class, well
operated multi-purpose venue – and we plan on giving them exactly that and
more."
The South West RDA and Bristol City Council have together invested GBP13m to date.
The overall project is expected to cost in the region of GBP150m to develop. — Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner
