Giving Bradford Odeon a share of money from a regeneration fund is vital and would benefit the whole city, an MP has said.
Eleven towns and cities from across Northern England have bid for a share of a new £15 million Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund.
Leeds City Region submitted a bid to transform the former Bradford Odeon cinema into a 4,000 capacity live music, entertainment and events venue.
Shipley MP Philip Davies said Bradford without a doubt needed the money and in a cheeky exchange in Parliament, urged Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom to go and speak to the relevant ministers making the decision and “let’s be done with it”.
He said: “Very shortly the government will hopefully be announcing the recipients from the Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund. Perhaps the Leader of the House may find time for a debate on this subject so we can all, I hope, say why the Odeon in Bradford would be such a worthy recipient of the funding from that which would do a massive amount to regenerate the city of Bradford.
“If the leader of the House cannot find time for a debate, perhaps she will just shorten the approach and just go and tell the relevant minister just to give the money to the Odeon in Bradford and let’s be done with it.”
Grants of up to £4 million will be awarded to help build a lasting regional legacy from the Great Exhibition of the North.
Mrs Leadsom said: “If only I had such influence! Philip is a great champion for his area and I do encourage him to seek an adjournment debate so he can make his pitch direct.”
Winners are expected to be announced later this month.