People are being given a first look inside Britain’s biggest indoor arena this week – with new images being shared of the upcoming £350m Manchester venue.
The 23,500 capacity stadium is being built in the Eastlands area – with developers Oak View Group striking a 15-year sponsorship deal to name the venue Co-Op Live.
Hosting live music, comedy, sport, and various other types of entertainment, Co-Op Live will feature a “smart bowl” design with 32 bars, lounges, restaurants, food markets, suites and club spaces inside.
New footage offers a first glimpse of what the venue will look like.
32 bars, lounges, restaurants, suites and club spaces will be inside the arena / Image: Co-Op Live
Co-Op says the new arena will be the “envy across Europe” and the “one stop every musician will look forward to when touring”.
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The company also has plans to make the venue the “most socially responsible” in the continent – tying in with Manchester’s zero carbon agenda.
Co-Op Live is expected to generate around £1m each year for Co-op Foundation causes.
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Singer-songwriter Harry Styles has also invested in the project, citing the “contribution it will make to the city, and most importantly, that it will allow even more live music to thrive in Manchester.”
The £350m venue is set to open in 2023 / Image: Co-Op Live
Construction of the venue has generated controversy, however, with critics arguing the city will be unable to sustain a second large-scale performance venue.
ASM Global, operators of the existing AO Arena by Victoria Station, denounced the approval of Co-Op Live, claiming there was “compelling evidence [which] shows there is simply no market for a second major arena in Manchester”, with the venue set to “pull visitors, footfall and spend away from the city centre.”
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More than 580 objections were also raised in a public consultation.
But Oak View Group have said Co-Op Live will cater for a different crowd, and that over 20 years the two arenas will generate up to £1.5 billion for the UK economy.
The AO Arena also announced its own redevelopment plans last year – looking at ways to expand capacity to 24,000 and thus take the title of ‘biggest indoor arena in UK’ itself.
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Chinatown restaurant issues CCTV appeal after customer literally RUNS away without paying
Daisy Jackson
Noodle Alley, a cosy restaurant in Chinatown, has shared CCTV footage of a customer literally running away with an unpaid bill.
The noodle bar is famed for its spicy dishes, hailing from co-owner Wendy Ren’s native Sichuan province.
It’s become a firm favourite in Manchester’s Chinatown since launching in 2023 – but the team have been left stung by a customer dine-and-dash this week.
And it’s the most literal case of a dine-and-dash we’ve ever seen, with CCTV footage shared by Noodle Alley showing the moment the customer sprints out the door, with impressive speed for a man in sliders.
The video also shows the staff chasing the runaway customer, to no avail.
In a heartfelt statement shared online, Noodle Alley said that ‘every meal matters’ when small businesses like theirs are struggling with rising costs.
They also said that the CCTV has been sent to the police in the hopes of catching the man.
In their full statement, Noodle Alley wrote: “Today, someone ran away from our restaurant without paying.
“This isn’t just about the money. Small independent businesses are already struggling with rising costs, and dealing with people who deliberately run away without paying makes it even harder.
“Every meal, every member of staff, and every genuine customer matters.
“Our team reacted immediately and tried to catch him, but he disappeared within seconds.
“We have a very clear CCTV image of the individual, and all the evidence has been passed to the relevant authorities.
“To everyone who chooses to support small independent businesses like ours, thank you. Your kindness and support help keep businesses like ours going.”
Murder investigation launched after injured woman found dead at house in Bolton
Emily Sergeant
A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a woman in Bolton.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers responded to reports of an assault on Yewdale Avenue in Bolton at around 3:15am yesterday morning (4 August 2026), and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman who had ‘sustained injuries’ and was unresponsive
Despite the best efforts of emergency services, the woman – who is said to be in her 30s – was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning, police confirmed.
Police say they believe this is an ‘isolated incident’ with no wider public threat.
With a murder investigation now proceeding at pace, GMP is appealing to the public for information. They said in a statement: “We understand how troubling this news will be, and whilst formal identification has yet to take place, the believed family are being supported by specialist officers.”
“A scene will remain in place as officers continue the investigation and we will have an increased police presence in the area.
“I’d like to reassure you that this was an isolated incident that is not believed to pose a wider risk to the public, and we currently have a man in custody in relation to the incident.
“I urge anyone who may have information to support our enquiries to please come forward”.
The Manc -
20th July 2021 
