If you’ve ever visited Birmingham’s canals you will have lingered awhile at Brindley Place where three canals meet:
the Mainline BCN from the west, the Birmingham & Fazeley from the east and the Worcester and Birmingham from the south.
It ‘s a place to linger awhile because it is in the centre of Birmingham City’s exhibition, conference, restaurant bars and nightlife district. There’s also major city shopping 5 minutes walk away.
The widely renowned National Indoor Arena – NIA as it is conveniently referred to – lies right alongside 48 hour mooring on the canals here. Many boaters have visited it and feasted on its events.
Well, now a much greater venue is being constructed on this site and is due to open in Winter 2014. Its endeavour is to provide visitors with a much more exciting and comprehensive experience.
The official website future.thenia.co.uk summarises the development as follows……..(as always do click on image for a wonderful full screen view)
The NIA in December 2012
The NIA has been a huge draw for visitors to Birmingham since it was officially opened in 1991; the flexible arena has since gained a global reputation for world-class sports, headline comedy and music, and a diverse range of crowd-pleasing live entertainment.
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Now it’s time to look to the future……
The NIA as it will be in Winter2014
Set to undergo a £20.6 million transformation, the modernisation of the NIA aims to take advantage of its unique location on the city’s canal side and will feature a new showcase entrance straight from Brindleyplace into the arena, with large glazed views over the water and the city.
Work will get underway in late 2012 and will include improved facilities and a much greater emphasis on both the pre and post show experience. Coupled with an exciting partnership with Barclaycard, the NIA will offer a vastly improved experience for anyone setting foot in the arena.
Future view along the Birmingham & Fazeley leading to the three canals junction
The NIA, A Barclaycard Unwind Experience, will reopen at the end of 2014 and will offer amazing new experiences, as well as first-class facilities and the world’s best performers.
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(Many thanks for permission to publish the above text and images to Chris Pile, Marketing Manager – arenas, The National Exhibition Centre Limited.)
You can keep in touch with progress……
A monthly newsletter, latest The Bigger Picture – Dec 12, will also be issued.
There is also a website, future.thenia.co.uk where you can keep up with progress.
