• Swindon & Wiltshire Culture
• Friday May 3 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Bristol’s long-awaited Arena to feature an outdoor cinema and sports facilities

Plans for Bristol’s long-awaited Arena show developers YTL want to build an outdoor cinema, Christmas ice rink, and sports facilities.

The final detailed plans for the 19,000-capacity arena have been submitted to Bristol City Council by YTL, which is developing the wider Brabazon neighbourhood on the former Filton Airfield, with thousands of homes and employment and leisure facilities.

CGIs prepared as part of the application show a central concert area flanked by conference and exhibition halls.

The proposed outdoor cinema at Bristol Arena

YTL, which acquired Filton Airfield back in 2015, hopes to open the Arena in 2026.

It says the Arena will “host concerts, sport, exhibitions, and more, putting Bristol on the map for live entertainment,” and will create “a cultural and economic boost for the entire region.”

A 10,000 seat arena was originally planned at a site near Temple Meads station, but was scrapped because of the estimated £40 million cost to taxpayers. The new Arena plans are developer-funded.

With a 19,000 seated capacity, Bristol Arena – the first indoor arena in the South West – will be just a shade smaller than similar indoor concert venues including the O2 Arena in London and the AO Arena in Manchester. It would dwarf Cardiff International Arena, which has a capacity of 12,500.

Bristol’s largest dedicated concert venues are the newly-refurbished Bristol Beacon (1,800) and the O2 Academy (1,600). Ashton Gate Stadium, home of Bristol City football club, can host concert crowds of up to 30,000 – although the experience is different from an indoor arena.

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