Big two battle it out for new Leeds music venue
Two of the music industry's most powerful companies are competing for the right to run the new entertainment arena planned for Leeds.
SMG and Live Nation have emerged from a city council shortlist of six potential operators for the proposed 12,500-seater concert venue.
The council's executive board is due to meet next Wednesday to decide which of the two will become the £50m scheme's preferred operator.
Council leader Andrew Carter said the expertise of the two remaining bidders would help ensure Leeds got the high-quality arena it deserved.
Coun Carter told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "I'm absolutely delighted with the level of interest we've had from the field's top names – not just in England, but worldwide."
Based in Manchester but with an American parent company, SMG is the largest operator of sport and entertainment venues in the UK and Europe.
Its empire includes Manchester's MEN Arena, Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena and Belfast's Odyssey Arena.
SMG was also responsible for the running of a number of the major venues during the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
Like its rival for the Leeds deal, Live Nation's parent company is American, although its UK arm is based in London.
It has stakes in facilities such as Wembley Arena, Sheffield Hallam Arena and Cardiff International Arena.
Shortlisted names which have fallen by the wayside, meanwhile, include Global Spectrum, Logistik/ GL Events and AEG – owners of David Beckham's LA Galaxy football club. After the council decides on its preferred operator, it will press ahead with the six-month task of choosing the arena's developer and site.
Potential locations are thought to include Holbeck's Sweet Street and land next to Leeds United's Elland Road ground.
Posted: Tuesday, May 06, 2008
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