Following the announcement that Milton Keynes Development Partnership have withdrawn from the planned development by Moirai Capital, Gaming International and Live Nation have expressed regret that following almost two years of planning, a big investment and hard work by the developers the ambitious plans, which included extensive improvements to the arena infrastructure have run out of time.
"We are all very disappointed that the exciting plans to develop the National Bowl arena have not come to fruition,” said Clarke Osborne, Chairman and CEO of Gaming International.
“It is so frustrating that the difficulties of the proposed operator of the water park should have such a catastrophic effect on the proposed redevelopment which would have increased capacity, improved the customer experience, improved the attraction to promoters of major music events and brought the arena into full multi event capability."
"The opportunity for the Bowl to maintain its iconic status as an internationally revered venue still exists and the opportunity that is presented by this setback is to drive it forward as the heart of any development,” said Paul Latham, Chief Operating Officer of Live Nation.
“The iconic status presents a rare opportunity to take a brand forward that needs no establishing, only bolstering.”
“In the space of 14 months the Bowl has hosted concerts from the Kings of Leon, Pearl Jam, and shortly the Foo Fighters plus the innovative Electric Daisy Carnival electronic dance festival, attracting guests from all over the world to Milton Keynes,” he added.
The partnership of Live Nation and Gaming International has secured top-flight acts for the Bowl and we are committed to developing and growing the Bowls reputation and commitment in the International music community."
