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Leeds Arena

The Leeds Arena (also known as the First Direct Arena for sponsorship reasons) is an entertainment-focused indoor arena located in the Arena Quarter of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is the first in the United Kingdom to have a fan-shaped orientation.

Address

Claypit Lane
Arena Quarter
Leeds
LS2
England

February 2011

February 2011 – May 2013

24 July 2013 (first concert)
4 September 2013

£60 million

Davis Langdon, An AECOM Company

BAM Construct UK Ltd

The arena officially opened on 4 September 2013, with Sir Elton John,[3] playing to an audience of 12,000. Bruce Springsteen had, however, held the first concert on 24 July 2013, with an audience of 13,000. The arena's opening season in 2013 later included acts including Kaiser Chiefs, Rod Stewart, Status Quo and Depeche Mode.[4]


The building was named the "best new venue in the world" in 2014 by the Stadium Business Awards.[5]

History[edit]

Public demand for an arena in Leeds[edit]

Leeds had been the largest city in the United Kingdom without a major venue to hold music or indoor sporting events. As of February 2010, Bristol and Leeds were the only major cities without an arena style venue. Previously, the Queen's Hall was used for popular music concerts but this was demolished in 1989. Since 1989, there have been a number of failed attempts at building a major venue in Leeds.


An arena has been long requested by residents in Leeds. The consultation on the Vision for Leeds 2004 to 2020 showed a strong demand from the public for a new arena, and the project became one of the city's 12 priorities.[6] The Leeds Initiative formed a Cultural facilities task group to consider options. It appointed PMP consultants whose report outlined the viability of a Leeds Arena, and other potential projects such as a concert hall. The task group recommended that the Council proceed with the development of a 12,500-seat arena.


Whilst this study was taking place, campaigners including the Yorkshire Evening Post lobbied for a new arena to be built in the city. This resulted in a widescale 'Leeds needs an arena' campaign that had endorsements from local artists including the Kaiser Chiefs as well as local businesses and residents. The campaign was well publicised in local media, and included popular Myspace and Facebook groups.

Developer and operator competition[edit]

Following this, competitions began to find an operator and developer for an arena. In March 2008, SMG were chosen as the future operators of the Leeds arena, following worldwide interest from potential operators in the scheme.[7] SMG also operate arenas in Newcastle, Belfast and Manchester and over 200 other venues worldwide.[8] The addition of Leeds strengthens their position in the UK Arena market. SMG's European managing director has stated that Leeds will be its "flagship venue" in Europe and that they expect First Direct Arena "to be in the top 10 in the world within two to three years of opening".[9]


Two main bidders were involved in the competition to develop the arena. These were the Council owned land at Elland Road as one location which would have been developed by GMI Construction and land owned by Montpellier Estates in Sweet Street, Holbeck with Montpellier Estates being developer of the latter site.[10] However, in November 2008, Leeds City Council announced they had terminated the developer competition and chosen Claypit Lane as the site for the new arena and would proceed as the developer. This resulted in a legal challenge from Montpellier Estates.[11] Montpellier's claim for more than £43.5 million was rejected by Mr Justice Supperstone in a Judgement handed down on 6 February 2013.

Plans and financing[edit]

The arena's location, on Claypit Lane is situated at the Northern Quarter of Leeds city centre, behind the Merrion Centre. The land the arena was built on was the Claypit Lane Council car park and land formerly owned by Leeds Metropolitan University. Demolition of the former Leeds Metropolitan building was completed in 2009. Independent economic impact assessments conducted by Yorkshire Forward show that the new arena will bring over £25 million to the local economy every year and bring 300 full-time jobs. The money provided by Leeds City Council will come from part of the proceeds from their sale of Leeds Bradford International Airport in October 2007, Yorkshire Forward grant support and revenues from rent and commercial activities. The total scheme costs are estimated to be in the region of £80 million including land costs.

Transport[edit]

The arena is located in Leeds city centre, on Claypit Lane. There are over 7500 car parking spaces within a 15-minute walk of the arena,[4] and Leeds railway station and Leeds City bus station are each a 15-minute walk away. There are bus stands nearby on Woodhouse Lane.

Leeds' second concert venue

O2 Academy Leeds

the largest concert venue in Leeds until its demolition in 1989

Queens Hall, Leeds

the nearest comparable arena

Sheffield Arena

(PDF).

"City Centre Location Chosen For New Leeds Arena"

. Yorkshire Evening Post. 7 November 2008.

"Backing for Leeds Arena plan"

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"Populous Chosen As New Main Architects"

Official website for the Leeds arena

Elton John opens the Leeds Arena

Official Leeds Arena Project website

Local Paper Website

Google Map showing approximate location and area for development of the Leeds Arena

Leeds Arena Seating Plans