Co-op Live’s pre-drinks venue given thumbs up

Manchester City Council has granted consent for a 7,200 sq ft hospitality destination made of shipping containers next to the £350m arena.

Oak View Group, the developer behind Co-op Live, lodged plans for the venue earlier this year.

Oak View envisages it would be used in the hours leading up to events at Co-op Live and matches at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, which is located nearby.

It will close 30 minutes before the main act takes to the stage in the arena.

Populous, the architect who built the £350m Co-op Live, has also drawn up designs for this unit alongside Better Green Productions.

Manchester City Council approved the project under delegated powers.

Deloitte is the planning consultant for the scheme.

To view the application, use the planning reference number 143097/FO/2025 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.