Co-op Live set to open after chaotic three weeks

BBC Guy GarveyBBC
The 23,500 seater venue is set to be opened by Manchester band Elbow

The new Co-op Live arena is set to open after three weeks of delays, false starts, and chaos behind the scenes.

Elbow will open the £365m Manchester venue later, after an inspection gave the venue the all-clear.

Comedian Peter Kay had been due to open the 23,500-seater venue on 23 April,

The eleventh-hour postponement of A Boogie With Da Hoodie's gig on 1 May saw other shows moved to the nearby AO Arena.

Reuters Co-op Live aerial Reuters
The £365m Co-op Live has had three aborted openings since 23 April

Kay's shows were twice postponed over issues including power supply and emergency communications, while a Boogie Wit Da Hoodie's show was pulled over a problem with the ventilation system.

Bosses said they were "thrilled" to be opening the venue after being "disappointed to have delayed our introduction and frustrated so many in the process".

"We now look forward to welcoming fans to Elbow's opening performance on 14 May 2024", it said in a statement.

Long-term benefit

Katy Glover outside bar
Katy Glover is the owner of the Silly Country Bar and Bottle Shop in Droylsden

With arena set to host the MTV Europe Music Awards in November among other high-profile events, local businesses are still hopeful it will bring a boost to the area, despite the tumultuous opening.

Katy Glover, who owns the Silly Country Bar and Bottle Shop in nearby Droylsden, said she hoped to see more accommodation open up as a result.

"When hotels open for it, that will really benefit us as a businesses, as we're right on the tram stop, so it's a perfect area to stay," she said.

"It's not made much difference yet, but I can only be good for the area long-term."

'Amazing'

Nina Grandberry outside her business the Culture Box cafe
Nina Grandberry is hopeful of a boost to her business from having the Co-op Live on her doorstep

Speaking before the first postponement of Peter Kay's gigs, Megan Buckley, of The Bradford Inn in Miles Platting, said she was hoping Co-op Live would lead to a boost in customers.

She said the mix of younger and older concertgoers would bring "a lot of business".

Nina Grandberry, who owns the Culture Box Caribbean takeaway in Miles Platting, said she hopes visitors to the arena will pop in for food before or after events.

"It would be amazing if the celebrities could come in here," she said, adding: "I'd be over the moon."

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