The National Indoor Arena (NIA) in Birmingham's city centre has
unveiled the next generation of arena, as it gets set to undergo a
£20.6 million transformation.
The modernisation of the NIA aims to take advantage of its
unique location on the city's canal side and will feature a new
showcase entrance straight from Brindleyplace into the arena, with
large glazed views over the water and the city.
The work is set to get underway in late 2012 and will include
improved facilities and a much greater emphasis on both the pre and
post show experience. The flow within the venue will be made much
easier, increasing the ease of access and comfort for promoters,
artists and visitors to the building. Coupled with this is the new
entrance, which will secure the venue as a focal point for the
city.
The NIA has been a huge draw for visitors to Birmingham since it
was officially opened in 1991 by Olympic athlete Linford Christie;
the flexible arena has since gained a global reputation for
world-class sports, headline comedy and music, and a diverse range
of crowd-pleasing live entertainment. This year it hosted the FIG
Trampoline and Tumbling World Championships, the qualifying event
for the discipline ahead of the London 2012 Olympics and the first
time the event has been held in the UK since 1967. This year also
saw Disney on Ice come to the Arena twice and welcomed
internationally renowned artists including Rihanna, Justin Bieber
and Kings of Leon.
The improvement work at the venue, which has not been
refurbished since its opening, is key to continuing its long term
success of the venue. The new design includes further opportunities
for retail units with an extra 5,926 m² of pre and post show
space added to the 7,500 m² of refurbishment that will take
place, ensuring that the new NIA maintains its position as a
destination to visit in Birmingham city centre.
Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, says:
"The NIA is already one of the central features in our
world-class events and conferencing offer, as well as a vital asset
for our economy generating £150million in economic benefit,
and supporting around 2,500 jobs in the wider economy. Clearly, if
we are to retain and grow our reputation as an events city we need
to invest in the future.
"I am delighted that we are able to innovate and invest in
infrastructure, at a time when other cities might have to curtail
their development plans. By integrating the redevelopment into our
Big City Plan we will seek to maximise the impact of this very
exciting new development."
Paul Thandi, CEO of the NEC Group, says:
"We are proud to unveil the new look for the NIA venue alongside
the plans that we have to turn it into the next generation of
arena, as we position the venue as a real focal point for live
entertainment.
The investment in the NIA represents not only a significant
modernisation of the site to create an exciting and iconic
contemporary venue, it also offers the chance to fulfil the
ambitions of the city to be the place to visit for first-class
facilities and the world's best performers."
Phil Mead, MD of NEC Group Arenas, says:
"Birmingham is currently abuzz with redevelopment as part of the
Big City Plan. It is a very exciting time for the city and we are
delighted that today's announcement takes our arena another step
forward in its part of the transformation.
"As well as improving the facility for performers and promoters,
developing the experience for our customers is also top of the
agenda. Our venue of the future will feature a new look and feel on
the concourse with more choice for visitors in terms of food,
beverage and merchandising.
"The plans will further strengthen the venue's success in
attracting the world's leading indoor sports events, live shows and
concerts."
Aidan Ridyard, Director at Broadway Malyan, adds:
"The National Indoor Arena is a project defined by its
potential. It is a truly public venue, hosting a remarkable
diversity of performance, sports and entertainment, which brings
Birmingham into the consciousness of millions of people around the
world. To be chosen to redefine the architectural vision for such a
great institution is an honour.
We are genuinely excited at the opportunity of beginning the
reinvention of this pivotal section of Birmingham's waterfront
fabric and hope to create a space which embraces this remarkable
location whilst visually celebrating the venue's innate vitality.
We see the new NIA as a waterfront window onto the excitement of
the entertainment within and the heritage of our city surrounding
it."