NEC For £28 Million Revamp

Birmingham’s NEC Arena has been given the go-ahead for the £28 million revamp scheduled to start next month.

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council gave planning permission August 13 for a development that will include 2,000 extra seats, restaurants, toilets, and a VIP Party Deck.

The funding will come from Birmingham City Council, which has provided a £25 million loan, and the arena will get help repaying it courtesy of the new sponsorship and naming rights deal with LG, the global electronics giant.

The West Midlands venue, which has been the NEC since it opened 28 years ago, will be re-branded the LG Arena September 1.

An application for a grant of the £3 million balance is still being considered by Advantage West Midlands development agency.

NEC Group won’t reveal the value of the LG deal on the grounds that it’s “commercially sensitive.”

The redevelopment of the arena is part of the company’s wider strategy to deliver a “Destination NEC.”

The other proposals include a £90 million leisure and entertainment complex, incorporating a large casino delivered in partnership with casino giant Genting Stanley.

The architect for the development is DLA design and the engineer is Arups. IBEX, Tomlinsons and Balfour Beatty have been appointed as preferred contractors.

LG Electronics is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications, employing more than 82,000 people working in more than 110 operations including 81 subsidiaries around the world.