The Co-op Live arena, scheduled to open in April, has been refused a 24-hour alcohol license for 25 days a year. The AO Arena, one of the major competitors of the Co-op Live Arena, denied the opening of the venue as a result of concerns over public safety. The license is expected to enable Co-op Live arena to host sports events, including the UFC for a worldwide TV audience. The application was challenged by residents, councillors, charities, and other local forces, including the Greater Manchester Police, citing the venue’s capacity and late-night hours being a threat to the neighbourhood and other nearby venues.
Co-op Live is anticipated to be one of the UK’s biggest indoor arenas, with a seating capacity of 23,500, surpassing the O2 in London and the AO Arena in Manchester. Manchester City Football Club’s report announced the venue would include state-of-the-art sound technology and design. Liam Gallagher, Take That, Pearl Jam, and Olivia Rodrigo are among the performers scheduled for the venue’s opening month. Peter Kay is expected to perform on Co-op Live’s opening night on April 23. Harry Styles was revealed to be an investor in the site in 2020.
Co-op Live’s Chief Operating Officer, Mark Donnelly, expressed frustration at the objections to the arena’s license, suggesting that the AO arena’s objections were based on competition. The venue revised its plans to address the majority of the early objections, yet 32 people, two councillors, Greater Manchester’s public health team, charity the Music Venue Trust, and ASM continue to challenge its application. If all areas and activities were reduced to 11:30 pm, the MVT would support the application.
MVT dismissed Mr Donnelly’s remarks as “misleading” and “provocative” while also raising concerns with Co-op Live’s application. The MVT pointed out several issues with the arena’s opening hours and capacity, claiming that it “ensures all monies from the night out in hospitality” are spent within the premises.
Co-op Live has no restrictions on its licence as it faces several challenges from rival venues, councillors, charities, and residents in its efforts to combat competition
Read the full article from Mixmag here: Read More