Why Co-op Live licence was granted after heated hearing with AO Arena as reasons revealed in 21-page report

Co-op Live was granted a licence to open because it ‘was aware of the challenges in operating and demonstrated the capacity to learn, grow, adapt’, a report has said.

The new 23,500-seat venue, which will open in April opposite the Etihad Stadium, saw its licence application approved last week (March 1). That came after a two-day hearing the week before in which main rivals the AO Arena, charity the Music Venue Trust, some local councillors, and scores of residents nearby.

During the hearing, fears were expressed over how thousands of people would get home from the east Manchester site in the early hours of the morning. The venue said it would put shuttle buses on to take ravers back to the city centre, and is investing in a walking route from the sports campus to the Holt Town tram stop.

Now, the written reasons of the committee — made up of councillors Julie Connolly, Glynn Evans, and Thomas Judge — have been revealed in a report made available to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. 

The 21-page document concluded: “We are of the opinion that this premises will be a significant benefit to the local community, Manchester and the wider region.  We recognise, in licensing terms, the likely impacts from the operation. We have carefully considered the draft operating schedule and are satisfied that these impacts can be addressed by the proposed conditions and operating procedures.

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“We were convinced that the applicant was aware of the challenges in operating such a venue and demonstrated the capacity to learn, grow, adapt and most importantly for it to communicate with (as well as listen to) the responsible authorities and the local community and especially with local councillors. We expect this open communication and engagement to continue to ensure the successful and proper operation of the premises.”

On announcing the licensing approval, the venue’s general manager, Gary Roden, said it was ‘committed to being the best possible neighbour to the local community’. He added: “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.”

It appears ward councillors will hold the arena to its promise. That’s according to Coun Irene Robinson, speaking on behalf of seven Labour councillors in three wards — Ancoats & Beswick, Miles Platting & Newton Heath, and Clayton & Openshaw.

Coun Robinson, who represents the former, said: “We withdrew our objection because we were happy with the changes they made. We are really, really keen to stay in touch with Co-op Live and residents, to ensure there’s no disruption. We have worked with [council leader] Bev Craig and Co-op Live to negotiate this position to ensure residents are not unfairly disrupted. We will be keeping an eye on the situation. We will monitor the impacts of the events at the arena as it opens and they take place.”

And Coun Alan Good, speaking on behalf of himself and Coun Chris Northwood — the two Liberal Democrats that represent Ancoats & Beswick, said he was ‘pleased’ the arena ‘rowed back on 5am finishing times for indoor and outdoor events’, but said Labour ‘compromised too much’. 

He added: “However, it is disappointing that the council granted late licences for Friday and Saturday nights without seeing fully realised transport plans to deal with crowds leaving at 2:30am. The council also gave Co-op Live a pass by granting late last entry to events, which allows visitors to get around new parking rules for the Eastlands Residents’ Parking. The Lib Dems kept our objection in for further changes and I spoke out at last week’s hearing. It is clear Labour compromised too much on residents’ interests with Co-op Live. We look forward to continuing to work with Co-op Live to improve walking routes and transport egress, especially between Holt Town and the city centre, as the new arena opens.”