NIA's sky needle revamp gets go-ahead

Work on the dramatic transformation of the city centre arena is due to start late next year and will include a new doubled-glazed glass frontage and three giant "sky needles" emerging from its roof so it can be seen from across the city.

The plans have now been approved by Birmingham City Council's planning authority.

Almost 63,800 sq ft of new space will be created inside the building to allow for additional food and drink outlets as well as merchandising space.

New toilets which can be adapted to cater for men or woman depending on the demographic of the audience will also be added.

The revamp which will be carried out by construction firm Galliford Try, has been partly funded by selling naming rights to Barclaycard.

The iconic arena, which was opened in 1991 and plays host to some of the world's biggest music and sports stars, will now be called the NIA – A Barclaycard Unwind Experience.

Under the deal Barclaycard will become the official payment partner for the arena as well as The Ticket Factory, the LG Arena and the National Exhibition Centre.

NIA managing director Phil Mead said: "We need to do this work to protect and continue to attract events in the future and be attractive to artists, sports promoters and organisers and raise the bar for the audience.

"The difference in the arena market today is every city wants to have one.

"It used to be every city had a cathedral now it seems they all have arenas.

"Lady Gaga or Oasis can only play so many dates so it is about staying in the Premier League and making sure we attract the biggest names."