Ghostwriter Consultancy and Events has announced a new long-term partnership with AMAAD Ltd, aimed at expanding the live music scene in Bristol. The collaboration centers around The Prospect Building, which was acquired by AMAAD in September 2024 and has since undergone major redevelopment.
Located just minutes from Temple Meads on the banks of the River Avon, The Prospect Building is AMAAD’s first venue acquisition and now features two custom-built live rooms – a 3,000-capacity Main Room and a 1,350-capacity space called Crane. This makes it a key destination for national touring artists.
The first live events under the new partnership will be a pair of intimate, sold-out shows with Little Simz at Rough Trade, celebrating her new album “Lotus.” Other upcoming shows include sold-out events with Yungblud, Those Damn Crows, Joyce Manor, and more to be announced in both the Main Room and Crane.
The Prospect Building has quickly become a vibrant fixture in Bristol’s cultural landscape since its opening on September 28, 2024. From large-scale club events to family-focused experiences, art exhibitions, and performances from local groups, the venue has hosted a diverse range of events.
This new partnership will bring AMAAD’s vision for the venue to life, establishing it as a premier live music destination. With a strong commitment to sustainability and diverse programming, The Prospect Building will continue to play a vital role in the city’s cultural fabric.
Ghostwriter has played a crucial role in shaping the venue’s infrastructure to support high-profile live events. The space boasts top-of-the-line production equipment, including L-Acoustics sound systems, lighting, and expansive backstage facilities. With its dual-room format, promoters can choose between Crane and the Main Room depending on ticket demand, ensuring the best experience for each show.
Carl Bathgate, Commercial Director at Ghostwriter, expressed his excitement about the partnership, saying, “We’re immensely proud to partner with a like-minded organization like AMAAD to bring something truly new to Bristol. Having operated and promoted within the city for over 5 years, we know the 3,000 capacity Main Room fills a crucial gap in the city’s live music provision and Crane offers mid-sized flexibility with an excellent level of production; both spaces are equipped to deliver high-quality live music experiences.”
He continued, “Considering the current economic challenges, we have sought to deliver venues that offer outstanding value and flexibility for shows ranging from 700 to 3,000 capacity. Our aim is to support promoters and artists, offering competitive terms, with only 50% venue ticketing allocation and crucially no merchandise fees across both spaces, making the Main Room one of the largest venues in the UK to do so.”
Helen McGee, Ghostwriter’s Head of Venues, added, “We’re thrilled to partner with The Prospect Building, and I’m especially excited to work closely with Paul, Will, and the team. This collaboration between AMAAD and Ghostwriter perfectly aligns our joint commitment to deliver exceptional live music events, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we achieve together.”
She continued, “Bristol is my adopted city, and I’ve been involved in its venues for a long time, having managed the Anson Rooms and later launching Carling Academy Bristol (O2 Academy Bristol). Utilizing my experience, we have worked to surpass expectations while strengthening the bond between the community and The Prospect Building, which AMAAD has worked so hard to form. I’m genuinely excited to be involved in the delivery of the next evolution of my hometown’s live music journey, and I hope the residents of Bristol and beyond will be too.”
Paul Jack and Will Harold, AMAAD’s Executive Directors, said, “We are delighted with the progress of The Prospect Building so far and believe that as our first AMAAD owned and operated venue, we are redefining what it means for a venue to truly be part of its community. We endeavor to contribute to the region’s economy by utilizing local suppliers when possible, focusing on sustainability and supporting local promoters and community organizations.”
They added, “AMAAD and Ghostwriter are set to position The Prospect Building as a cornerstone of Bristol’s live music landscape – offering a fresh, flexible alternative for artists, agents, and promoters looking to make a mark in one of the UK’s most vibrant cities.”
Ghostwriter Consultancy and Events Ltd is a multifaceted, privately-owned business firmly embedded in the UK’s live music industry. The company offers a “head office function” for its partner venues, implementing robust systems and processes to ensure they are safe, efficient, financially viable, and well-marketed.
With a team of experienced professionals, Ghostwriter also provides a range of consultancy services, including event and venue feasibility studies, event programming and advancing, and onsite event and site management. The company’s goal is to create more spaces that offer greater choice for promoters, agents, and managers while putting
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.