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Derided Dome is reborn as the O2 Derided Dome is reborn as the O2
(4 days later)
The Millennium Dome, once dubbed New Labour's white elephant, reopens as an entertainment venue this weekend.The Millennium Dome, once dubbed New Labour's white elephant, reopens as an entertainment venue this weekend.
Re-named the O2, the complex in Greenwich, south-east London, has undergone a £350m refit after years of argument over its future use.Re-named the O2, 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. The centrepiece is a 20,000-seater auditorium designed to host concerts and sporting events.
US rockers Bon Jovi will be the first act to perform at the arena on 24 June. The O2 was originally built to hold a year-long exhibition to celebrate the new millennium.
Clean break
The O2, 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 CampbellAEGWe'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 been left out intentionally from the new name so as to make a clean break with the past.He said the word "dome" had been left out intentionally from the new name so as to make a clean break with the past.