The man who could help Bristol gain its long-awaited arena has been appointed to the city council in a new role as strategic director for place.

Barra Mac Ruairi will be responsible for a wide portfolio including major projects, economic and cultural development, regeneration, transport, highways, planning and property.

Mac Ruairi comes to Bristol from Bradford City Council where he was strategic director for regeneration, with one of his main jobs keeping the National Media Museum in the West Yorkshire city.

The announcement of his appointment yesterday came on the same day that it was revealed Bristol City Council might have to mothball the Georgian House, Red Lodge, Lawrence Weston Roman villa and Blaise Castle Museum unless a commercial partner takes them over.

Mac Ruairi said: “Bristol has a great tradition of being a creative, ambitious city. I hope to help it achieve even more of its ambitions whilst also tackling some of its long-standing challenges such as traffic congestion and the gap between the city’s richest and poorest areas.”