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The Bristol Hoteliers Association (BHA) has claimed that the new YTL Arena Bristol, a 20,000-capacity entertainment venue will restore the city as a leading destination and support local business growth.
Members of the BHA met the chief executive of YTL Arena Bristol, Andrew Billingham, for an update on the project.
The venue is being constructed within the Brabazon Hangars in North Bristol, and will be among the five largest in Europe upon completion.
Although initial estimates suggested a 2022 opening, construction is now scheduled to finish in 2028.
The site will include a dedicated train station providing travel to central Bristol in 11 minutes. BHA members expect the venue to attract visitors who previously stayed in the city to attend events in Cardiff.
Future growth is also expected from the development of a sporting quarter at the Ashton Gate stadium in the south of the city.
Adam Flint, Bristol Hoteliers chair, said: “The past few years have been extremely challenging for the hospitality sector, but certainly for us in Bristol, there is a light ahead which is getting much brighter, and which will make a huge difference to our businesses and the city as a whole.
“Our hotels already benefit when Cardiff plays host to major events – such as the Oasis reunion concert last summer – when hotels in the Welsh capital were full, concert-goers turned to Bristol, just an hour away. So, we can only imagine what things will be like for us when this incredible new facility opens right on our doorstep – but we won’t have too much longer to wait now.”
Flint added: “It’s been a long-time coming, but after what Mr Billingham shared with us, we are confident that it will be worth the wait, and we believe there are some extremely exciting times ahead for Bristol as a whole, and its hospitality sector in particular.”
