News

Hideaway – Co-op Live unveils new late-night luxury members club by celebrity chef Simon Rimmer

Hold my cocktail.

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia - 15th October 2024

A newly designed members lounge is making its way to Co-op Live in Manchester, adding to the entertainment venue’s already impressive roster.

Joining the lineup of 32 other food and drink vendors, bars, restaurants and lounges, ‘Hideaway’ boasts a menu curated by chef and TV personality Simon Rimmer.

Known for fronting Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch with co-host Tim Lovejoy, and for being the man behind Manchester’s much-loved and now-lost Greens restaurants, Rimmer’s next venture takes his dishes away from the big screen and into the Co-op Live.

Guests will be presented with vibrant delights from a menu which is dedicated to Mediterranean-inspired foods, one of the celebrity chef’s favourite cuisines.

Replacing the former ‘Decibel Lounge’, the new luxury lounge ‘Hideaway’ boasts the same unforgettable view of the stage from section 103.

ADVERTISEMENT

‘Hideaway’ Members can access coveted seating to every publicly ticketed event and also gives attendees a chance to enjoy the atmosphere before and after every show too.

Food will also be served at the beginning and end of every event, and guests are in for a treat because after all that dancing, you’ll definitely be able to satisfy those post-concert foodie cravings.

ADVERTISEMENT

From kebabs, small plates and quick bites, Simon Rimmer’s tailored menu is ideal for an entertainment venue such as Manchester’s Co-op Live, giving members everything they need to stay fuelled throughout the show.

Hideaway – Co-op Live’s newest exclusive luxury lounge.
A proposed seating and dining area for Hideaway, Co-op Live
An illustration of the plans commencing at Hideaway, Co-op Live
Credit: The Manc Group

Drinks are also a must, especially when they have been specially expertly crafted and paired with the food on your table, including Moët & Chandon champagne and Hennessy Cognac cocktails.   

Now your music taste won’t be the only thing catered towards, your tastebuds can experience the same joy too.

ADVERTISEMENT

This new experience really is exclusive with only 100 spaces available and if it receives as much interest as the other lounges at the venue it’s sure to sell out.

Sam Piccione III, OVG International President of Sales, said: “The redesign of Hideaway marks a significant moment in our continued journey to deliver unrivalled premium experiences at Co-op Live.

“With Simon Rimmer’s involvement, we are taking things to the next level – creating a destination designed for music lovers, combining great music with outstanding food, cocktails and Champagne, in a stylish party atmosphere that makes experiencing live music at Co-op Live unforgettable.”

Anyone thinking of living their life a little more lavishly can do so by enquiring through Co-op Live’s website here. 

Read more:

Featured Image: Supplied

News

The annual Manchester Remembers Foundation charity football match has shut down

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Remembers charity game 2025 cancelled

The annual Manchester Remembers charity football match has been cancelled for 2025, and unfortunately, the wider Foundation has also shut down for the foreseeable.

Set up back in 2020, the Manchester Remembers charity game was created to help raise funds for the families of those lost in the tragic 2017 Manchester Arena attack, raising nearly £200,000 in donations for multiple organisations.

It has been a truly treasured community event across Greater Manchester, welcoming thousands to the likes of Manchester City Academy Stadium and Oldham Athletic‘s Boundary Park, as well as spotlighting local musicians and notable figures volunteering their help for a deeply important cause.

However, the Foundation is now set to hang up its boots. Confirming the news over the bank holiday weekend, founders Aaron Lee and Paul Corrigan shared “a difficult statement to make and a decision not taken lightly.”

As explained in the lengthy and emotional post, it is with a “heavy heart” that this year’s charity match has now been officially cancelled, and tickets already purchased up to this point are now being refunded.

Having played a small part in helping spread awareness around the game and the Foundation since it began, we were gutted to learn of this sad news.

The 2025 MCR Remembers game was scheduled to take place this June at a new venue for the event, Bury FC’s home ground at Gigg Lane, but following what they have labelled “a lack of support” from Greater Manchester leaders and “influential people needed to carry the event forward.”

Lee – a former police officer turned firefighter who was one of the emergency responders on 22 May, 2017 – went on to share a follow-up video reflecting on the announcement.

As he puts in the piece to camera, he says that even if those who had been reached out to in recent times were to suddenly respond, that it is “sadly too late.”

Taking time to thank not only past sponsors, managers, ex-pros and celebrity players who have been part of the event in the past, but everyone who bought tickets to the event(s) over the past few years, stating simply: “We cant thank you enough.”

Lee, who was given both a Chief Fire Officers Commendation and British Citizen Award in 2024, went on to address those “so-called leaders and influential people” in a subsequent post, adding: “All we needed was a bit of help. But we were ignored. Thanks for the memories.”

Unsurprisingly, the comments on social media have been awash with messages of love, support and sadness upon learning of this year’s cancellation and the end of The Manchester Remembers Foundation after more than half a decade.

There is some hope, though, as he ends the video by saying, “Who knows if this is the end or not? […] I dare say we’ll be back at some point.” We can only keep our fingers crossed he’s right and the MCR Remembers charity game won’t be shut down for good.

Manchester will always remember.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group/Manchester Remembers Foundation

News

Clubland at AO Arena, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Clubland is returning to Manchester this weekend, and we’ve got you sorted with all you need to know so you can let your hair down.

Whether you’re ready to jump up and down for a bit of ‘Everytime We Touch’ or lose it all and go crazy over ‘Now You’re Gone’, you can do both as Clubland is in town.

Instead of waiting months between seeing your favourite artists live, this night brings them all together and pops them on one big stage for a three-hour-long festival, isn’t that handy?

Get ready to live out your Europop dreams, dance the night away and enjoy some feel-good, care-free tunes.

Clubland UK tour dates

Clubland tickets for AO Arena gig

Clubland has toured the UK numerous times and has become a firm staple in some people’s concert calendar every year.

However, fans are in luck as there are just a handful of tickets left to choose from HERE.

Clubland setlist

Basshunter and Cascada are two of the guests lined up for Clubland at AO Arena, Manchester.
Basshunter and Cascada are two of the guests lined up for Clubland at AO Arena, Manchester.
Credit: Remigiusz Józefowicz via Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons

The gig at AO Arena in Manchester will be the closing night of the 2025 UK tour, meaning fans will be dancing like nobodies watching and soaking up all those seriously good vibes.

On AO Arena’s website, the concert is set to feature various artists, including Basshunter, Billy Gillies feat. Hannah Boleyn, Cascada; Darren Styles, Flip n Fill feat. Karen Parry, Kelly Llorenna and Ultrabeat.

Although no setlist is confirmed, based on that lineup alone, anyone attending is in for a treat.

What are the stage times for Clubland in Manchester?

AO Arena has a curfew of 11pm meaning concertgoers can ‘Evacuate The Dancefloor’ before the clock strikes twelve, but we’re sure if you want to continue the party Manchester is always ready for a party and with an array of bars and clubs nearby, our city centre will be waiting with open arms.

Doors for Clubland are scheduled for 6pm with a start time of 7:30pm. The lineup looks to be complete and intact for now; regardless of any drop-outs/latecomers, we’re sure some of your favourite dance tunes will be pumping out through the arena’s speakers.

Read more:

How to get to AO Arena

Tram

For those of you heading to AO Arena, luckily, it’s connected to Manchester Victoria Station and it has an integrated Metrolink stop to make your life even easier.

Head along the pink, light blue or yellow lines directly to the Victoria stop, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.

Train

Considering this live entertainment venue is situated right in the middle of one of Manchester’s most frequented stations, concertgoers should find no problem getting to the arena, wherever they are.

ADVERTISEMENT

Bus

A variety of buses cover AO Arena and Victoria Station on their route, such as the 2 bus, which stops just a one-minute walk away from the venue.

A full list of buses and their routes can be found HERE.

Getting there by car and parking

The Arena has its own official CitiPark, with 958 car parking spaces including 40 Blue Badge parking bays, which can be booked in advance.

ADVERTISEMENT

Alternatively, anyone attending a gig can park at their nearest train station and jump on a train service or the various Metrolink park and ride facilities.

Walk/cycle

Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app.

About the AO Arena

The AO Arena has a few strict policies to keep gig-goers safe, so make sure to check entry requirements carefully before you travel.

For example, only one small bag per person is allowed, and bags like backpacks, travel cases and laptop bags are not permitted inside the arena.

ADVERTISEMENT

All bags are scanned on entry to check for prohibited items like laser pens, flares, projectiles, weapons, drugs and alcohol, and even selfie sticks.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Publicity Picture (via Supplied)

More News

Boroughs

Inside the million-pound four bedroom barn conversion in Cheshire

City Centre

This new app tells you the best sunny pub spots in Manchester

Co-op Live arena best in Europe

Art & Culture

Co-op Live has been named the number one arena in Europe following its debut year

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches