This is the fourth time Wembley Arena has been awarded this accolade, and the first since the £36 million refurbishment of the Grade II listed building, undertaken by Quintain Estates and Development, who own the Arena and an additional 70 acres of land surrounding Wembley Stadium.
The new-look Arena, re-orientated to face the Stadium, has attracted a record number of fans since reopening its doors in April 2006 after a 15-month refurbishment programme.
The transformed Arena is part of a mammoth £2.6 billion regeneration project that will include a 17-screen cinema and a boulevard lined with restaurants bars and cafes. The scheme is expected to inject an estimated £150 million per year into the local economy and provide up to 7000 new jobs.
Nick Shattock, deputy chief executive of Quintain Estates and Development, comments, "Our aim is to put Wembley on the map in the creation of an exciting, new urban hub. The regeneration of Wembley will draw international visitors, but also benefit the local community, through improved facilities and a truly mixed-use scheme which will enhance the experience of visiting a world-famous site."
(Jim Evans)
