Your say / Bristol Arena
‘The Brabazon Hangar is a unique asset that presents a wonderful opportunity’
Bristol is without doubt one of the country’s finest destinations for visitors. However, in my view, as a core city and regional hub Bristol needs a major venue to draw world class cultural, sporting and entertainment events to the area to allow it to compete on national and international stages.
Initially, when the council secured the Temple Island site it seemed to me that this was a strong contender for such a development. My view changed, however, once I had visited the Brabazon Hangar and saw for myself the opportunity this presents.
I immediately realised the significance of the structure itself. It is incredible to have a building of such heritage and stature in the city. It’s a unique asset that presents a wonderful opportunity for locals and visitors alike to re-use and rediscover.
is needed now More than ever
To my mind, the plans for the Brabazon Hangar would deliver a more aspirational arena, with 16,000 seats versus the 10,000 seats possible at the rather more constrained Temple Island site.
This increased capacity is a game-changer, making the proposed arena the third largest in the country and guaranteeing the big acts which want the biggest stage. It’s exciting.
It would appear that resolving transport problems in the city centre is also a far bigger problem than previously anticipated. Experience from other centrally placed arenas indicate that a significant number of car journeys are generated, and a sell out at a 10,000 capacity venue could bring around 3,500 private car journeys into the city centre in the early evening rush hour.
Given its location and parking capacity this issue could be better managed at the Brabazon site, especially as better public transport links are already being developed alongside housing developments.
In my view, Bristol mayor Marvin Rees has done the right thing in considering other options for the original site too. Jobs and homes in the centre are clear priorities and a plan that brings more jobs and greater economic output presents a terrific opportunity.
Legal & General’s vision for a mixed use development on Temple Island
In terms of Bristol’s offer as a destination, a potential convention centre and ancillary services on the Temple Island site would complement that which is planned at Brabazon and really boost the city centre’s visitor economy.
My experience tells me that convention centre events attract visitors who are much more likely to spend a greater period of time in the destination as well as travelling to and from that destination by public transport.
This in turn would lead to more bed nights in Bristol’s hotels, more meals out and the opportunity for site visits to the city’s incredible attractions.
To the benefit of the wider area it would make absolute sense to run the development of an arena at Filton and a convention centre on the Temple Island site concurrently.
James Berresford is the former chief executive of Visit England. He currently holds a number of non-executive roles within the tourism sector – including being a trustee of the SS Great Britain – as well as advising on a variety of tourism related projects.
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