Council unveils latest Leeds Arena images
Leeds City Council (LCC) has unveiled new images showing the internal layout of a proposed £80m entertainment venue, which will be built in the West Yorkshire city.
The council revealed detailed design work is now at an "advanced stage" on the interior configuration of the Leeds Arena, which aims to provide an unobstructed sightline for each of a 13,500-capacity audience. Under the 'super theatre' proposals for the venue, the furthest seat will be no more than 68m (223ft) from the centre of the stage - compared with the usual 90-95m (295-312ft) at most conventional arenas.
SMG Europe has already been appointed by LCC to run Leeds Arena as part of a 25-year lease agreement, while the government has approved Yorkshire Forward's decision to invest nearly £10m in the scheme. LCC leader Andrew Carter said: "The venue will have a huge impact in raising the profile of Leeds and the surrounding city region both nationally and on the European stage.
"Studies show there is massive untapped demand for a facility of this kind and it will be a significant boost to the economy and physical regeneration of the Leeds and the wider city region."