Co-op Live learn licence verdict after heated hearing with Manchester rival AO Arena

Co-op Live, Manchester’s new 23,500 seat arena, will open as planned next month. 

Its application for a licence has been approved by the council following a two-day hearing last week. The final decision was announced on Friday morning, March 1.

During the course of the hearing, the three-councillor panel heard objections to Co-op Live’s late night opening — up to 2.30am for some events for up to 6,000 punters — from local residents, nearby councillors, and notably the operators of the AO Arena.

The committee decided the licence, which included eleventh-hour changes on the volume of ‘24-hour’ events for 23,500 people annually and a U-turn on allowing vaping, was acceptable. Now, bosses can focus on opening the venue, with its first show being a Peter Kay gig on April 23. 

“We are delighted that Manchester City Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee has today voted to approve our application for a premises licence,” said Co-op Live’s Executive Director and General Manager, Gary Roden.  “We are grateful to local councillors and residents for their engagement during the process and will remain committed to being the best possible neighbour to the local community up to opening and beyond.

“Manchester deserves the best, and with the opening of Co-op Live just weeks away we’re excited to begin this new chapter in the city’s enviable cultural story. This £365m investment will transform the fan experience of live entertainment, bring international superstars to Manchester, set a new benchmark for large arenas around the world and deliver a significant economic boost to the entire North West region.”

On Thursday, the venue announced it will host the MTV Europe Music Awards in November, which council leader Bev Craig said will be ‘a big boost for Manchester on the global stage, celebrating our musical heritage’.