Birmingham's National Indoor Arena (NIA) is to get both a £20.6m refurbishment and a new name – The NIA, A Barclaycard Unwind Experience – as part of the city's ongoing redevelopment plan.

Birmingham City Council announced that it has granted full planning permission for the NIA’s modernisation, and now architects plan to take advantage of the arena’s canal-side location to add large glazed windows and a new showcase entrance from Brindleyplace, an existing business and leisure development. The work will begin later this year and will include improved facilities and “a much greater emphasis on both the pre- and post-show experience,” stated officials.

The news follows the recent announcement of a five-year sponsorship deal between the NEC Group and Barclaycard, which will become the payment partner for The Ticket Factory, the LG Arena and the National Exhibition Centre.

Phil Mead, managing director of the arena, said: “We can now realise our ambitious plans to improve this important venue in line with the council’s Big City Plan. It has been over two decades since any modernisation has taken place, and unfortunately this once great building is showing its age.

“This decision will allow us to ensure that the NIA remains a world-class venue, and one that complements the already impressive architecture in the west of the city, including the library, the International Convention Centre and Brindleyplace.”

Pictured: The NIA