News / Bristol Arena
VIP experiences launched but work to build arena still yet to begin
Enquiries are now being taken for Supersonic VIP, described as “the ultimate live music experience” at YTL Arena Bristol; with premium hospitality packages offering exclusive pre-show performances, VIP lounges, front-row seats, a “luxurious” members’ lounge and restaurant, and private balconies.
Within what is currently an empty shell, the arena promises to be a “new headline act for Bristol”, attracting the “very best of music, comedy, sport and entertainment”.
As well as the highlights inside, Supersonic VIP will also allow those with the money to afford it the ability to skip the queues, get priority parking, a dedicated drop-off zone and their own “VIP entrances”.
“From bass thumping concerts, thrilling sporting events, or captivating family shows, our premium hospitality packages will make it an unforgettable occasion,” says the Bristol Arena website – image: YTL
With demolition of parts of the Brabazon hangars finally completed, construction of Bristol’s long-awaited arena is ready to begin but work has still yet to start.
YTL Arena Bristol will be built just inside our city’s border with South Gloucestershire with its capacity of 20,000 making it among the UK’s biggest venues.
As Bristol24/7 reported in October, the hangars have been stripped back to their original steel frame and the enormous doors have been removed.
The three huge hangars overlooking the former Filton Airfield were originally constructed for building the giant Brabazon airliner and later Concorde.
According to YTL – who initially envisaged that the arena would open in 2022 – the project “remains on schedule”.
No opening date has been announced yet but construction is due to finish in 2028.
This will be a decade after plans for an arena in Filton were first announced, and two decades after another planned arena near Temple Meads train station was initially due to open.
That city centre arena was finally scrapped by former Labour mayor Marvin Rees in 2018 after concerns about costs.
A floating boardwalk is currently being built to link Temple Quay to what was meant to be the site of Bristol Arena on Temple Island – image: Bristol City Council
YTL will both build and operate the arena, which will be part of their new Brabazon neighbourhood.
Around 140 events are expected to be hosted every year, with interlinking facilities for conferences and exhibitions.
But the new North Filton train station next to the arena will not have enough capacity or frequency to accommodate all 20,000 gig-goers leaving a concert.
A metrobus service will pass by the arena but journeys into the city centre take around an hour and a car park will have more than 1,600 spaces.
Responding to these concerns in April, YTL said the firm had already committed £3.6m in planning obligations which will contribute to improving transport infrastructure.
A transport plan will ensure a “well-structured approach” to managing visitor journeys.
28,000 people attended Massive Attack gigs in 2019 at a temporary structure on the former airfield, with shuttle buses running from the city centre to Filton.
Shuttle buses took concertgoers from the Centre to Filton for Massive Attack’s two shows in March 2019 – photo: Martin Booth
Main image: YTL
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