Bradford Live has been announced as a finalist in the Great Renovation category of Theatres Trust’s Great British Theatres Awards.

The Great British Theatres Awards recognise the theatres and their champions that are making an outstanding contribution to the UK’s cultural life. The awards were launched as part of Theatres Trust’s 50^th anniversary celebrations.

The Great Renovation recognises theatre retrofit or refurbishment projects that have sensitively adapted a theatre to preserve its character while transforming accessibility, comfort, technical capability and sustainability.

This nomination recognises the powerful and transformative partnership between Bradford Live and Bradford District Council—two organisations that combined vision, investment, and expertise to deliver a landmark cultural and economic revival for the city. Together, they not only restored an iconic venue but also redefined Bradford’s position as a leading cultural destination in the UK.

The collaboration between Bradford District Council and Trafalgar Entertainment (operator of Bradford Live) exemplifies the power of aligned ambition. The Council led the £50 million restoration of the historic site, demonstrating long-term commitment to the city’s cultural and economic future. Trafalgar Entertainment brought industry-leading expertise in venue management, programming, and audience development.

This partnership was built on shared goals: to revitalise a historic landmark, expand access to world-class entertainment, and position Bradford as a dynamic, inclusive cultural hub. By combining public investment with private sector innovation, the partnership unlocked opportunities that neither could have achieved alone.

Rosemary and Howard said: “Bradford Live is a much-loved and iconic venue, rich in history and cherished by countless Bradfordians, so to receive this Great British Theatre Award nomination is a great honour. We thank the visionary project teams who brought Bradford Live roaring back to life – Lee Craven, Kirsten Branston, Chris Morrell, the team at Bradford Live and Bradford Council- who have transformed this glorious landmark venue into a modern and truly world-class destination, whilst honouring and preserving its stunning Art Deco heritage.

“Since reopening the doors one year ago, we’ve welcomed thousands of visitors through our doors and established ourselves at the heart of the city’s cultural and live entertainment scene. From our sell-out opening shows with The Prat Pack and Bill Bailey, to unforgettable nights with Kaiser Chiefs, Gorillaz and Radio 1 Anthems, we’ve been proud to bring world-class entertainment to Bradford, creating lasting memories for thousands of visitors, and we’re incredibly proud of the role we’ve played in bringing people together, contributing to Bradford’s cultural renaissance.”

Joshua McTaggart, CEO of Theatres Trust, said: “From rescuing buildings that have been empty for many years through to carefully reinvigorating much-loved venues, the Great Renovation finalists show how theatres can be equipped for new generations without losing what makes them special. Theatres Trust knew there was a need to celebrate theatres, but our judges had an incredibly hard time selecting the finalists. I want to extend my congratulations to every one of them. We can’t wait to celebrate our Great British Theatres in style this November.”

The full list of finalists for this category are: The Arts Theatre, Cambridge; Bradford Live; Citizens Theatre, Glasgow and The Granville Theatre, Ramsgate.

The winners will be revealed at the Great British Theatres Awards ceremony at Central Hall Westminster on Monday 2 November 2026. Tickets will be available to purchase online via Theatres Trust’s website.