LN And SMG To Share Bristol?

The two global venue operators are the preferred bidders to programme the venue, input into its design, and maintain and manage the building for the duration of the 25-year lease on offer.

AEG and the NEC Group are understood to have been among the competitors.

Ferguson said the joint bid from LN-SMG represents a good deal for the city and gives yet further confidence of a firm footing on which to move forward toward a 2017 opening for the 12,000-capacity venue.

The project has already had to overcome a few problems – mainly financial – to get this far. In the summer, neighbouring councils helped the southwestern city put together a financial package to help Bristol unlock the funding needed to build a venue.

The government originally knocked back the local council’s bid for £40 million from its regional growth fund. The West’s Local Enterprise Partnership weighed in by pledging £25 million toward the project.

The cost of building the arena is estimated at £80.2 million with a further £8.1 million needed for on- and off-site costs. The arena is part of the city’s plan to regenerate about 170 acres of land surrounding Bristol Temple Meads station.

“We work together quite a lot in the US so it seemed right on this project,” said Live Nation chief ops officer Paul Latham. He said the arena project could “contribute significantly to the city’s economic growth and profile.”

SMG COO Wes Westley said it will be “a fantastic venue for future entertainment and community events.” Eden Project architects Grimshaw has been shortlisted to the design the arena.