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Derided Dome is reborn as the 02 | |
(9 minutes later) | |
The Millennium Dome, once dubbed New Labour's white elephant, reopens as an entertainment venue this weekend. | |
Re-christened the 02, the complex in Greenwich, south-east London, has undergone a £350m refit after years of argument over its future use. | |
The centrepiece is a 20,000-seater auditorium which will host concerts and sporting events such as ice hockey and basketball. | |
US rockers Bon Jovi will be the first act to perform at the arena on 24 June. | US rockers Bon Jovi will be the first act to perform at the arena on 24 June. |
Clean break | Clean break |
The 02, the largest single-roofed structure in the world, was originally built to hold a year-long exhibition to celebrate the new millennium. | |
We're not guaranteed success but I think we've got a better chance than most David CampbellAEG | We're not guaranteed success but I think we've got a better chance than most David CampbellAEG |
But the project was dogged by controversy and cynicism, especially as it attracted just over half of its projected number of visitors. | But the project was dogged by controversy and cynicism, especially as it attracted just over half of its projected number of visitors. |
After a failed joint venture, US-based Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), took sole responsibility for the venue. | After a failed joint venture, US-based Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), took sole responsibility for the venue. |
It was due to reopen in 2004 but deadlines were missed and the saga dragged on. | It was due to reopen in 2004 but deadlines were missed and the saga dragged on. |
More recently, the arena missed out on the chance to host a super-casino as the licence was handed to Manchester instead. | More recently, the arena missed out on the chance to host a super-casino as the licence was handed to Manchester instead. |
Its chances of success will be helped by the fact that AEG is the world's largest owner of sports teams and sports events. | Its chances of success will be helped by the fact that AEG is the world's largest owner of sports teams and sports events. |
Part of US billionaire Philip Anschutz's business empire, it owns five ice hockey teams in the US and Europe, three US football teams. | Part of US billionaire Philip Anschutz's business empire, it owns five ice hockey teams in the US and Europe, three US football teams. |
"We're not guaranteed success but I think we've got a better chance than most," said David Campbell, chief executive of AEG Europe. | "We're not guaranteed success but I think we've got a better chance than most," said David Campbell, chief executive of AEG Europe. |
He said the word "dome" had left out intentionally from the new name so as to make a clean break with the past. | He said the word "dome" had left out intentionally from the new name so as to make a clean break with the past. |