The Ballroom Bar really is looking fantastic! The National Lottery Heritage Fund North Bradford 2025

This photograph, taken in 1930, shows the restaurant nearing completion. Note the windows on the right and the fibrous plaster ceiling. (Photograph courtesy of Leslie Overend archives).

Taken 94 years later, this photograph shows the same room nearing completion. The windows are the original ones, expertly restored. The fibrous plaster ceiling is a faithful copy of the original, but with a unique colour scheme. (Photograph courtesy of Mark Nicholson).

Comparing the two photographs, you can see how Tim Ronalds Architects were keen to create a columned hall. In the original 1930 space there were rooms on the left hand side that partly hid the columns. The modern reworking looks more dramatic.

Finishing touches to the VIP entrance ceiling - it looks amazing! The National Lottery Heritage Fund North

A glimpse of the Art Deco Lounge and the Bradford Live Lounge on the second floor of the turrets - just awaiting the light fitting to complete the splendour! The National Lottery Heritage Fund North

Considering the environment  - bat and bird boxes are being  installed to provide safe havens for the local wildlife.

In the late 60s, just over half of the lower balcony front was demolished (to make way for toilets..). But half remained, and it is now being repaired and restored. Today, for the first time in 56 years, it is being cleaned, and we’re impressed at how well the colours look.

Cherubs…

The white sections above are new replacements for the damaged original fibrous plaster mouldings.

Protecting the environment Bradford Council The National Lottery Heritage Fund North bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

The original 1930’s boilers have inspired the newly created “Boiler Room Bar” which also utilises huge stone floor slabs. These were found during excavation and belonged to Whitaker’s Brewery which occupied the site prior to the building of the New Victoria. The National Lottery Heritage Fund North

The light fitting in the 2nd floor turret is now in place and looks fabulous! The National Lottery Heritage Fund North

It’s coming together! Finishing touches across the building The National Lottery Heritage Fund North

A look at some of the front of house and backstage bathroom facilities.

A first glimpse of the auditorium! The National Lottery Heritage Fund North

Ready for the grand unveiling! Construction of Bradford Live has reached ‘practical completion’. The building has been restored & transformed into a world-class 3,800 capacity multi-entertainment venue. Huge thanks Bradford Council The National Lottery Heritage Fund North Department for Culture, Media and Sport West Yorkshire Combined Authority R N Wooler

Before and After: The Auditorium (Images Courtesy of David Oxtaby ) The National Lottery Heritage Fund North The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Before and After: The Auditorium - - ceiling and balconies The National Lottery Heritage Fund North (Images Courtesy of David Oxtaby)