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Playground JLP01_10_46030
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Historic England
Playground JLP01_10_46030
NATIONAL INDOOR ARENA, KING EDWARDS ROAD, BIRMINGHAM. A view of the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham during construction, taken from the west, with two children at a playground in the foreground.
I/N is recorded next to this image in Laings negative register, signifying that it is an internegative. It appears to have been copied from the original in July 1990 and was probably taken shortly beforehand. The image was supplied by Allan Sloan, a regional marketing manager for Laings Midland Division.
The £ 50m Design and Construct contract for the National Indoor Arena (NIA) was awarded to the Laing Midlands Division by Birmingham City Council in January 1989. It was officially opened on 4th October 1991 by athlete Linford Christie. At the time of opening, it was the largest indoor arena in the UK and had capacity for approximately 12, 000 spectators. The arena has been renamed multiple times throughout its history. Originally the National Indoor Arena (October 1991 to December 2014), it later became known as The Barclaycard Arena (December 2014 to August 2017), Arena Birmingham (September 2017 to April 2020), and Utilita Arena Birmingham (April 2020 to present)
Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places
Media ID 24492243
© Historic England Archive
1990s Childhood Children Construction Recreation Sports Centre
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a moment in time during the construction of the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham. Taken from the west, the image showcases the impressive scale and architectural beauty of this iconic structure. In the foreground, two children can be seen enjoying themselves at a playground, adding a touch of innocence and playfulness to the scene. The internegative nature of this photograph indicates that it is a copy made from an original source. Supplied by Allan Sloan, a regional marketing manager for Laings Midland Division, it was most likely taken shortly before July 1990 when this copy was made. The National Indoor Arena (NIA) holds great significance as one of Birmingham's major landmarks. Awarded to Laing Midlands Division by Birmingham City Council in January 1989, its £50 million Design and Construct contract paved the way for its grand opening on October 4th, 1991. At that time, it stood as the largest indoor arena in the UK with a capacity for approximately 12,000 spectators. Throughout its history, this remarkable venue has undergone several name changes: The Barclaycard Arena (December 2014 to August 2017), Arena Birmingham (September 2017 to April 2020), and Utilita Arena Birmingham (April 2020 to present). Each name change reflects different eras and partnerships but does not diminish its cultural significance within Birmingham's landscape. Preserved by Historic England Archive under A© copyright protection, this print serves as both a testament to human ingenuity and an enduring symbol of community enjoyment within an ever-evolving cityscape.
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