Ex-depot turned City of Culture venue to re-open

A former storage depot which was transformed into a pop-up arts centre for Bradford's year as UK City of Culture will reopen later this year.

Housed in the former Marks & Spencer warehouse in Duke Street, Loading Bay attracted more than 40,000 visitors before it closed in December.

Now the organisation behind it has announced the venue, which includes a 200-seat theatre and gallery space, will be re-launched in May.

A Bradford Culture Company spokesperson said: "Delivering the year was an honour and we're excited to harness the energy of what was created and ensure that Bradford continues to be shaped by arts and culture."

Among the events hosted at Loading Bay were an exhibition based on Bill Bailey's Extraordinary Portraits, a show by magician Steven Frayne and photography exhibitions looking back at Bradford's Caribbean and Ukrainian communities.

Loading Bay is not the only City of Culture venue that will be returning, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The Beacon, another pop-up venue that toured the district's parks during the spring and summer, is also set to return later this year.

In a statement Bradford Culture Company said: "A key element of [our] programme is the reopening of Loading Bay in May.

"One of the standout successes of last year, the multi-storey venue hosted exhibitions, theatre, international dance, live music, supper clubs, as well as cabarets and comedy nights.

"The Beacon, a temporary, community-focussed venue, is also expected to return subject to planning permission, with a programme co-created by local people.

"Expect family takeovers, arts and crafts, live music, poetry and dance."

The organisation will also be continuing its volunteer programme to create new roles for people to welcome audiences, act as Bradford ambassadors and help "deliver events behind the scenes".

Executive director Dan Bates and creative director Shanaz Gulzar added: "The ongoing success of Bradford will be, as our year was, people-powered in collaboration with the artists, organisations and communities that make our district such a fantastic place."

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