Ministry of Sound to host Dome's swansong
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Millennium Dome is to end its troubled year with a 12-hour New Year's Eve rave for 16,000 people, organised by the Ministry of Sound.
The Millennium Dome is to end its troubled year with a 12-hour New Year's Eve rave for 16,000 people, organised by the Ministry of Sound.
The event, at £35 a ticket, will be held in several buildings outside the Dome when the attraction closes its doors to the public - without ceremony - after the last performance of its floorshow finishes at about 7pm on 31 December.
The closure will be in stark contrast to the lavish opening party attended by the Queen and 10,500 guests, which featured performances by Mick Hucknall and the Corrs and an address by the Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey.
Pierre-Yves Gerbeau, chief executive of the New Millennium Experience Company (MMEC) the Dome's operator, denied that handing over the facilities for free was a lost opportunity to make money or an embarrassing finale.
He said it was a "fantastic" way to mark the Dome's last day. Having another event for VIPs would be "the wrong thing to do".
"A few people around this project wanted us to go quietly and slowly... and just switch off the lights at 6pm. I wanted to go with a big bang," he said.
Using the Dome itself was rejected because that would involve closing the central arena to the public for several days. The NMEC accepted the deal because it involved no financial risk or costs.
The Skyscape "mini-dome" building and other nearby buildings will be taken over by Ministry of Sound. It will spend £500,000 installing sound and lighting on four stages, giving the NMEC a share of the profits from food and merchandise.
Mr Gerbeau admitted he had to overcome reservations from David James, the corporate troubleshooter brought in as the NMEC's executive chairman, and Lord Falconer, the "minister for the Dome".
They feared the idea was risky. He said he still expected to be attacked by the Tories for supporting the proposal, and accused William Hague, in particular, of deliberately exploiting the Dome's troubles to attack the Government.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments