Co-op Live today celebrated the venue’s ‘topping out’ – the final stage of roof construction and a major milestone in development – ahead of the UK’s largest and most sustainable live entertainment arena opening its doors in April 2024.
Guests included partners, venue stakeholders, premium guests, as well as the construction and subcontractor team responsible for bringing Co-op Live to life. Attendees were invited to sign the final acoustically treated roof cassette, lifted into place to top out the structure, with their signatures becoming part of the permanent structure.
Led by a keynote welcome from joint-venture partner Oak View Group CEO, Tim Leiweke, the event also included speeches from City Football Group CEO, Ferran Soriano; naming-rights partner Co-op Director of Marketing Communications, Amanda Jennings; and BAM Construct UK Executive Director, James Wimpenny.
The event highlighted the positive impact that the arena will have on communities both locally and nationally, with speakers celebrating that construction alone has generated more than 3,350 jobs with a further 2,000 roles set to be filled ahead of the venue’s opening.
Co-op emphasised the unique nature of the partnership and the deep integration across its business, highlighting the benefits for its Members and Co-op food innovation, while Leiweke and Co-op Live Executive Director and General Manager, Gary Roden, celebrated the venue’s innovative positioning across the global entertainment market.
Tim Leiweke, Oak View Group CEO says: “In the last decade, Manchester has slipped from a top three global concert market, and is now no longer even in the top ten. That is not a reflection of the music or audiences of Manchester, which are stronger than ever. It is a reflection on investment in cultural infrastructure.
“Co-op Live will put Manchester back where it deserves to be, as a global entertainment powerhouse.”
Gary Roden, Co-op Live Executive Director and General Manager, adds: “I have no doubt this venue is going to be one of the world’s best live entertainment experiences, and we can’t wait to announce the iconic artists who will play our stage very soon.”
Once complete, Co-op Live will be located on the Etihad Campus which is also home to Manchester City FC, a founding member of the City Football Group who is partnering with Oak View Group on the project.
Commenting on Co-op Live, Ferran Soriano, CEO at City Football Group, said: “Co-op Live will play a pivotal role in City Football Group’s plans to develop the Etihad Campus into a year-round entertainment destination, but it will also bring with it a significant source of community, employment, and economic opportunity for the city of Manchester and its people.
“We are incredibly proud to have partnered with OVG on this project and look forward to welcoming fans from across the world to the arena next year.”
James Wimpenny, Executive Director, BAM said:” Co-op Live will be a world class arena for Manchester and I’m proud to say that 80% of our construction orders have been placed with local businesses in the North-West of England. That’s almost £200million of arena funding that has been spent within the local economy.
“Alongside my team at BAM, we’ve brought onboard 386 local suppliers, 40% of which are based within 5 miles of this development. A further 36% are from the Greater Manchester area. Co-op Live is a demonstration that major construction projects can provide both economic and social stimulus for the region while minimising the carbon impact by keeping supply chains local.”
