New live music venue to open in west London

A new purpose-built live music and events venue is to open in west London next year.

The British Airways ARC, located above the existing west exhibition hall in Olympia, will be a 3,800-capacity venue.

The site, which was originally built as an events and exhibitions venue almost 140 years ago, has previously welcomed artists including Jimi Hendrix, Sir Rod Stewart, Primal Scream, and The Cure.

Andrew Spencer, chief operating officer at AEG Presents Europe, which will operate the venue, said they were opening the diary for bookings.

He said: "Olympia is a place that has an incredible musical history which we want to honour whilst creating a venue that is thoroughly modern with world class facilities for artists and fans alike."

British Airways' chief customer officer, Calum Laming, said it was important for the company to "represent modern Britain at home and all around the world".

"We're so excited to be a part of Olympia to showcase the very best homegrown and international entertainment," he added.