A year after their tumultuous opening, Co-op Live is forging ahead with expansion plans.
An application for a canal side terrace with a bar, café and merchandise stalls is currently under consideration by Manchester City Council.
The two-storey venue made partially of shipping containers will be located between Co-op Live and the Ashton Canal.
It is designed to be ‘complimentary’ to the arena and Etihad Stadium, providing an extra food and drinks venue with ‘attractive views’ over the canal up to three hours before concerts and matches.
The designs include a café, bar and merchandise store on the ground floor, which will become ‘a casual space for enjoying refreshments’, according to developers Eastlands Arena Limited (part of OVG).
On the first floor, a flexible events space will be available for hire for private events in a ‘more elevated space’. Both levels will feature decked terraces with outdoor seating overlooking the river and Etihad Stadium.
Outside of concert and match days, the venue could open as a day-time café serving coffee and pastries outside, and be available to hire for private events.
Developers Eastlands Arena Limited (part of OVG) hope the venue, which would be roughly the size of 2.5 tennis courts, will also help stagger guests arriving and departing to the Etihad Campus.
A planning statement by Deloitte on behalf of OVG said: “This development will enhance the visitor experience by providing ancillary food and beverage and retail options, addressing unmet demand and encouraging longer stays on campus.
“‘Canalside’ will also offer community benefits, including flexible space for local events and activities, contributing to the vibrancy of the area and creating new employment opportunities during both construction and operation.”
The plans were submitted shortly after Co-op Live hit its first anniversary, marking one year since its turbulent start in 2024. A string of issues, which included part of a ventilation system falling from the ceiling, caused a three-week delay to the £450m venue’s opening day, with several major concerts and gigs cancelled or postponed.
The 23,500-capacity arena, which was first granted planning permission in 2020, has welcomed more than a million guests to over a 100 events.
The arena has attracted the likes of Paul McCartney, Liam Gallagher and Billie Eilish to the city, raising millions in revenue for the events sector.
