THE man behind the transformation of Bradford's former Odeon building has spoke of his relief and pride that the historic building has been removed from the Theatres at Risk Register after more than a decade.

Lee Craven, of Bradford Live, which is spearheading the renovation of the 1930s building into a live music venue, said yesterday's announcement by the Theatres Trust was a significant moment in the project.

Mr Craven told the Telegraph & Argus: "Every year the Theatres Trust publish a list of theatres that they believe are at risk of being demolished or lost through redevelopment. Bradford's Odeon has been on that list for a fair few years and now we've been relegated off it.

"It's a relief to reach this stage and a pleasure not just for the Bradford Odeon - it gives hope to other groups fighting to save their local theatres that are perhaps at the start of the process.

"It shows that it can be done and shows that these building can form a very important role as town centres need to be entertainment destinations if they are to survive."

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He added that he had been invited to the launch event of the 2020 Theatres at Risk Register, which was held in London yesterday, and had been involved in a panel discussion.

"The discussion was concentrating on the importance of having an operator in place. We always knew that without an operator, we wouldn't have a viable scheme and it took two and a half years to find the right partner in the NEC, and we are delighted with them."

The Theatres Trust publishes a list each year to highlight the theatres across the UK that are under threat of closure, redevelopment or demolition. Bradford Odeon was added to the list in 2007.

The 2020 register contains 30 theatres, with the Grade II listed Groundlings Theatre in Portsmouth being added this time.

The announcement that the Odeon has been taken off the at-risk register stated: "Bradford Odeon, which opened in 1930 as the largest ciné-variety theatre outside London, is being restored thanks to the dedication of Bradford Live and will reopen in 2020-2021 with the NEC Group on board as operating partner.

"Bradford Odeon will host an expected 300,000 visitors each year with a programme of more than 200 events."

Claire Appleby, architectural advisor at Theatres Trust, and manager of the Theatres at Risk list, said: "We are delighted to be able to remove Bradford Odeon from our Theatres at Risk Register this year.

"It was added to the list in 2007 and a huge amount of time and effort has gone into getting it to the point it is at now, thanks to the dedication and vision of Lee Craven and Bradford Live.

"Getting NEC Group on board with its experience of running venues of this scale was the final piece in the jigsaw needed to revive Bradford Odeon as a live performance venue.

"Bradford Council has also been incredibly supportive of the venture, and we would urge other local authorities to follow its lead and recognise theatre buildings as assets for their communities."

The work to strip out the steel and concrete partitions that divided the 1930s building was completed last year. This has allowed the full height and width of the original auditorium to be fully seen for the first time in years.

Mr Craven added that they were currently preparing to go out to tender for a main contractor, which would be in the spring.

"We hope to start on site in the middle of this year," he added.