Bringing the Beat Back to Bradford is a new exhibition looking back on the history of the much-loved building previously known as the New Victoria, The Gaumont, and Bradford Odeon.

Originally built in 1930, and located in the heart of the city, this magnificent building is currently being restored to its former glory as an entertainment hub for the city. Ahead of its reopening as the music venue Bradford Live, Impressions Gallery embarked on major project to uncover the many memories that were made within its walls.

Bringing the Beat Back to Bradford shines a light on the building’s vibrant history as a cinema, dance hall, music venue, and bingo hall. The exhibition features stories from the community, artefacts and memorabilia, oral histories, and a mix of official and vernacular photographs.

During the exhibition, we will continue to collect photographs and stories of the building from visitors for display on our memory wall. These will be added to a growing digital archive of images, memorabilia and oral histories.

Bringing the Beat Back to Bradford is part of a programme of heritage activity commissioned by Bradford Live and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Bradford Live is a not-for-profit distribution company formed in 2012 to find a long term viable use for the historic former Odeon building in Bradford city centre which has been derelict since 2000.