Our City, edited by Suzanne Audrey: the arena saga, by me

The UK's government's austerity agenda, and Bristol's ill-fated mayoral system, are the context for this collection of essays from activists focussing on promoting inclusion, community campaigning and city planning.

There’s an event on at Waterstones tonight, 26 September, launching the book and with speeches from some of the authors.

In a city with a history of resistance, the demise of the 'strong leader' mayoral model was perhaps inevitable. But community activism lives on. The authors of these essays contribute a wealth of experience to inspire city and beyond.

For those who can’t make it, my speech is available below:

Today, I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey of the Bristol Arena, a project filled with ambition, setbacks, and ultimately, a decision that has reshaped our city's landscape.

The dream of a Bristol arena began over two decades ago. It was meant to be a landmark—a place to bring the city together, to boost our economy, particularly in the city centre and South Bristol. This was more than just a venue; it was a regeneration project aimed at benefiting some of our most economically disadvantaged areas. Yet, after years of planning, discussions, and millions spent on preparations, we stand here without an arena.

One key turning point came after Marvin Rees took office as Mayor of Bristol in 2016. While there was still hope for an arena in Temple Quarter, under his leadership, things began to shift. Not long into his tenure, Rees hired consultants, including a former employee of YTL, to explore alternatives for the arena’s location. These consultants, funded by the council, played a critical role in steering the decision away from the original plan. The Bristol Post was the first to start hinting at the idea of moving the arena to Filton. Eventually, the focus shifted to Filton, a site owned by YTL.

In late 2017, another event raised serious questions about this shift. Marvin Rees took a free trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he stayed at the Ritz Carlton, courtesy of YTL. Just two days after that meeting, Colin Molton, the Executive Director of Growth and Regeneration, met with Legal & General in London to begin discussions about an alternative plan for the Temple Quarter site. The coincidence of these meetings is hard to overlook, as they marked the beginning of the end for the arena at Temple Island.

By 2018, Rees commissioned a £100,000 report from KPMG to review the value of the arena. This report ultimately paved the way for the cancellation of the Temple Quarter arena project. Despite widespread public and political support for a central location—one that would have directly benefitted the local economy, especially in the city centre and South Bristol—the administration moved ahead with YTL's privately funded arena plan in Filton. The justification given was that there would be “no cost to the taxpayer,” but this did not reflect the reality of millions in public funds being redirected, including £32 million for decontaminating land that would benefit private interests.

An interesting detail in all of this is the poster hanging in Marvin Rees' office—an extract from Theodore Roosevelt's famous "Man in the Arena" speech. It’s a quote about the credit belonging to the man who dares greatly, who strives valiantly in the arena. But when we look at the outcome of this arena saga, that poster now seems more like a trophy of what can be achieved for the private sector using public money. It raises the question: was the arena cancellation really in the best interest of Bristol, or was it shaped by behind-the-scenes relationships and private agendas?

The cancellation of the Temple Island arena has had far-reaching consequences—not just for the cultural life of the city but also for the economic development of central Bristol and South Bristol. The move to Filton shifts investment and spending away from these areas, benefitting locations outside our core, which could harm local businesses and opportunities for growth in the very areas that needed it most.

So, while the administration has moved forward with plans for housing and offices at Temple Quarter, we are left to question the long-term implications of this decision. Was the cancellation truly for the public good, or were other interests at play?

Thank you.