We have answered some of your frequently asked questions on the Leeds Arena project below. The answers give information on
- Leeds Arena design
- Leeds Arena demolition
- Leeds Arena events
- Leeds Arena parking arrangements
- Leeds Arena project timescales and cost
- Other developments on the Leeds Arena project
These will be updated regularly as the Leeds Arena project continues to gather pace. Please continue to check back on www.leeds.gov.uk/arena to see up to date questions and answers. If you would like a question answering below, please e-mail it to leedsarenaproject@leeds.gov.uk.
Leeds Arena project frequently asked questions
1) Why are Leeds City Council building an arena?
2) Where will the Leeds Arena be located?
3) Who will operate the Leeds Arena?
4) When will the Leeds Arena open?
5) What will the Leeds Arena be called?
6) Who will be the developer of the Leeds Arena?
7) Can you clarify the role of Leeds City Council?
8) Who will build the Leeds Arena?
9) When will the construction of the Leeds Arena start?
10) Where can I find information on the planning applications?
11) Who is designing the Leeds Arena?
12) What features will the Leeds Arena have?
13) Can I see pictures of what the Leeds Arena will look like?
14) Will there be a car parking?
15) Will there be a drop off point for coaches and taxis? Where will this be?
16) What type of events will the Leeds Arena host?
17) Will there be an Ice Hockey team for the Leeds Arena?
18) Will there be any other development on the site around the Leeds Arena?
19) How much will the Leeds Arena cost to develop?
20) How is the Leeds Arena being funded?
21) Where can I find updates on Leeds Arena developments?
22) Are there any key landmarks upcoming?
1) Why are Leeds City Council building an arena?
There are many reasons why we are building an arena in the Leeds City region, which link strongly to the Leeds City Region vision. Some benefits include:
- Having an arena will help the Leeds city region 'go up a league by boosting the profile of the region locally, nationally and internationally.
- The Leeds city region, along with Bristol, are the only core cities regions without a large arena venue.
- Consultation during the development of the Vision for Leeds 2004 to 2020 showed that there was a great desire from both businesses and residents for the city to aim higher in terms of the provision of cultural facilities. Residents highlighted that one of the highest priorities was for to ‘build an arena or concert venue’ and a 'Leeds needs an Arena' campaign was started by Leeds residents.
- A Leeds Arena will boost the city region economy by £25.5m a year and will be the United Kingdom’s first fan-shaped arena, which will boost regional tourism with the major events it will host.
- Having an arena in the Leeds City Region will see the creation of around 450 jobs and will boost regional competitiveness and quality of life through the additional business and enhanced investment it will attract.
- An arena will bring world class entertainers to the city region – boosting the cultural offering of the city region and giving greater access to events, in particular for residents in West and North Yorkshire.
- An arena can act as a point of regeneration by boosting the vibrancy and sense of place of surrounding areas.
2) Where will the Leeds Arena be located?
The arena will be built on the 5.1 acre Claypit Lane site in the centre of Leeds. The city centre location benefits from being close to the bus and rail stations and will benefit the regeneration of the Northern Quarter of the city centre. You can find more information on the location on a regular basis by checking this website.
3) Who will operate the Leeds Arena?
We have appointed SMG-Europe to be the operator of the Leeds Arena when it is anticipated to open early 2013. SMG will lease the building from Leeds City Council and operate the arena. SMG will book all artists and manage the running of the venue as an entertainment focussed facility. SMG have experience of operating arenas across Europe, including: the MEN Arena in Manchester, the Metro Arena in Newcastle and the Oslo Spectrum Arena.
4) When will the Leeds Arena open?
It is anticipated that the arena will host its first event early in 2013. More detailed information on the precise date will be available as the project nears completion.
5) What will the Leeds Arena be called?
SMG, as the Leeds Arena operator, will determine the naming rights for the venue. It is expected that this will be announced as the project gets nearer to completion. The title of the ‘Leeds Arena’ is a working title until the official name is agreed.
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6) Who will be the developer of the Leeds Arena?
Leeds City Council will act as the lead developer and our selected construction contractor will build the facility in line with SMG’s operator requirements.
7) Can you clarify the role of Leeds City Council?
The council is the client for this development and is ultimately responsible for the design, construction and ownership of the venue. SMG will take full responsibility for the operation of the venue.
8) Who will build the Leeds Arena?
BAM Construction is the construction contractor and are signed up to construct the arena.
9) When will the construction of the Leeds Arena start?
Construction of the arena has started. Earthworks began in February and construction of the building started in May 2011.
10) When can I find information on the planning applications?
An outline planning application was submitted in November 2009 and outline planning permission was granted on March 22nd. A reserved matters application was submitted in summer 2010, sought permissions on external design. This was approved in November 2010, which means the Leeds Arena has all planning approvals in place to start construction.
11) Who is designing the Leeds Arena?
Jacobs, our strategic design partner, led a multi-disciplinary design team to design the Arena to the conclusion of RIBA stage D, with support from Arena specialists Populous. As the project is being delivered through a design and build approach, the contractor has design responsibility from RIBA stage E onwards. From RIBA stage E onwards, BAM's design team have had responsibility for the Arena design. This team includes Populous, Arup and Whitelaw Turkington
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12) What features will the Leeds Arena have?
SMG have provided a specification outlining their requirements for the arena which includes
- A 'super-theatre' configuration
- 24 executive boxes which will contain an average of 12 seats
- Flexible accommodation to host music, concerts and family entertainment shows
- suitable for events with an audience as small as 1500
- clear views of the centre of the stage from every seat
- three kitchens – one main and two smaller
- A restaurant for 100 diners and two hospitality lounges, each for 150 guests
- Over 100 concession/merchandise stands and retail outlets
- Five ‘star’ dressing rooms – the biggest being over 40 square metres
- Sound proofing to minimise disturbance to the arena’s neighbours
It is currently planned that the 'super-theatre' style arena will have a total capacity of around 13,500 in a combined standing/ seating mode and circa 12,500 in full seating mode.
13) Can I see pictures of what the Leeds Arena will look like?
Yes! We have recently launched the external design and will be providing answers to your questions on leeds.gov.uk/arena. Our special animation also gives a flavour of the spectacular external design.
14) Will there be a car parking?
Woodhouse Lane Car Park and Merrion Centre car park are identified as the primary arena car parks. Detailed assessment has shown that there is more than enough sufficient car parking for a sold out arena event in addition to usual demands. There are a total of 2880 car park spaces within 400metres (5 minute walk time), and a further 4,841 spaces within a 15 minute walk of the site. The city centre location means attendees have access to a large quantity of car park facilities within a short distance from the site and the arena will also benefit from excellent rail and bus links for event attendance.
15) Will there be a drop off point for coaches and taxis? Where will this be?
Yes, there will be a taxi rank and space for coach drop off. The taxi pick up will be on the access road on the arena site, whilst Coach drop off facilities will be provided on Wade Lane. The locations have been agreed following consultation with local communities, including the Leeds Independent Disability Council.
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) What type of events will the Leeds Arena host?
The arena will provide flexible accommodation which will primarily host live music and family entertainment, along with occasional sporting events. The flexibility of design will allow the Leeds Arena to host events for audiences as small as 1500.
A non-exhaustive list of potential events include: music concerts, theatre shows, comedians, basketball, boxing, wrestling, dancing shows, ice dance amongst much more.
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) Will there be an Ice Hockey team for the Leeds Arena?
The proposal does not include the provision of a permanent ice pad, so there will not be a resident team at the site. The Leeds Arena will have the flexibility to accommodate a temporary ice pad, however.
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18) Will there be any other development on the site around the Leeds Arena? It is expected that there will be complementary development on the site as part of the regeneration of the area.
19) How much will the Leeds Arena cost to develop?
It is estimated that the cost for constructing the Leeds Arena will be in the region of £55-60 million. The overall scheme costs will be in the region of £80m, which includes costs for the purchase of land. The Arena currently remains on budget following the start of construction.
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) How is the Leeds Arena being funded?
The arena is being funded by Leeds City Council with grant support from Yorkshire Forward. Leeds City Council will use the rent and other commercial revenues generated by the associated commercial development to finance the balance of the proposal. Just over two thirds of funding is from third parties or commercial revenue generated by the scheme
21) Where can I find updates on Leeds Arena developments?
We will produce all official communication on all areas for the Leeds Arena project. This website will be updated as major landmarks are reached and will act as the official portal for information on the project. Information will also be made available through press releases and through our civic newspaper: About Leeds.
22) Are there any key landmarks upcoming?
Yes! Over the course of the next two years there will be many landmarks, including details on jobs and business opportunities, and much more. Use this website to keep up to date with all things to do with the Leeds Arena development.
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