Arena Seating at landmark televised debates

Arena Seating was part of electoral history in the run up to the 2010 general election, supplying temporary seating for audiences at the Sky News Debate in Bristol and the BBC’s Prime Ministerial Debate in Birmingham this April.

Politics left London, went to the regions and reached TV audiences of millions through each of the landmark debates. Arena was an integral part of the broadcast production team, helping to create temporary TV studios in the prestigious venues used for the first ever series of televised party leader debates.

At the Arnolfini in Bristol and the University of Birmingham’s Great Hall respectively, the Arena team installed around one hundred and thirty upholstered tiered Arena seats for the selected local audience, who took part in heated discussions between party leaders Gordon Brown, David Cameron, and Nick Clegg.

Due to the high profile nature of these two events, the entire Arena crew, along with all other event suppliers, went through detailed security checks. All names and vehicle registration numbers had to be supplied by contractors in advance, leaving no room for any last minute changes or additions to the team. At both locations, the seating was installed two days in advance to allow time for safety and security checks to be carried out in the venues.

Arena Seating project manager Tony Sainsbury oversaw both debates. He says:

“As with all of our television projects, Arena Seating’s focus is on supplying seating which looks stylish on screen and offers the Director excellent camera angles. With over nine million viewers and enormous media attention, it was imperative to install the seating efficiently and professionally. Working within stringent security guidelines, we ensured the best possible sightlines and comfort for the live audience.”