New agreement brings hope for Bristol's Arena

Bristol's multi-million pound Arena could still go ahead but some administrative hurdles will have to be jumped first.

Most big cities have a big venue which can host the major players but Bristol's dreams are currently a building site.

The scheme has been in limbo since the loss of the original contractor in January but today senior councillors approved entering an agreement with the second choice firm, the Buckingham Group.

Under the Pre Construction Services Agreement, the firm will look at the costings for the 12,000-seater venue as originally planned.

At the same time, the Cabinet commissioned a value for money study to look at the case for investment in the area next to Temple Meads station.

Councillors also called for further work into the other options for the building if it comes necessary for a new procurement. It could mean the project is scaled down.

Once the PCSA review, the value for money study and the investigation into other options are completed, the Cabinet will take a view on how to proceed.

Watch this space...