What's On

MediaCityUK brings Box on the Docks back for summer

Grandad's Sausages, I Knead Pizza, Bada Bing Deli and Batard Bakery are on the list of eateries joining BOTD this summer.

The Manc The Manc - 7th May 2021

MediaCityUK’s popular outdoor dining concept Box on the Docks (BOTD) is preparing to welcome back customers to its waterside ‘pods’ on May 17, owners have confirmed.

BOTD’s collection of 30 sheds and greenhouses have undergone renovation from local artists ahead of the grand reopening – with an exciting range of residents moving into the neighbourhood in time for summer.

A new Box on the Docks Bar and Grill will also open – offering tri-weekly residencies to some of Manchester and Salford’s most popular eateries.

Award-winning banger hut Grandad’s Sausages will grab the first slot, followed by the wood-fired takeaway I Knead Pizza.

Open daily, The Box on the Docks’ Bar and Grill will have coffee and pastries up for grabs courtesy of Batard Bakehouse – along with supersized NY-style hoagies from Bada Bing Sandwich Deli.

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Local craft breweries will also be on hand to serve fresh beers, with regular DJ sets and live music taking place later in the day. 

Plant-based eatery Vertigo and The Botanist have also committed to BOTD for the summer season, with Vertigo offering Brunch and Supper menus from their boxes.

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The Salford Foodbank’s Gift Box will be on site accepting food donations – which will be distributed to local families in need. 

Local brewery Seven Bro7hers has just announced the opening of their highly-anticipated pop-up bar & kitchen just in time for BOTD’s relaunch – giving customers the chance to enjoy a pint and one of their signature burgers, flatbreads or wedges in the beer house or private pod.

Keith McAvoy, Seven Bro7hers CEO said: “We are so pleased to finally be launching our MediaCityUK space after months of waiting for covid restrictions to ease. MediaCityUK is such a vibrant and exciting location, so we can’t wait to kick off by being part of the Box on the Docks buzz.

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“It is fantastic after months of closures and restrictions to be back doing what we love – welcoming people into our family for a pint. We look forward to seeing our customers in our new beer house and making the most of our Box on the Docks spaces this summer.”

Josie Cahill MediaCityUK Place Director added: “It’s been a long winter and as restrictions gradually lift it’s great to see MediaCityUK coming back to life.

“There’s a real buzz of excitement among our amazing cohort of artists and independent foodies and operators who have really pulled together to create a special experience for our visitors this summer.”

BOTD was originally launched in summer 2020 to support the hospitality and arts industry following the impact of the pandemic and has proven a huge success – bringing ‘thousands’ of visitors into MediaCityUK.

To book a box and learn more information visit: Box On The Docks’ website.

What's On

Jessie Ware announces biggest-ever headline tour, including massive Manchester arena show

Danny Jones Danny Jones Jessie Ware Manchester gig Co-op Live tickets

Beloved British singer-songwriter Jessie Ware has just announced her biggest headline tour to date, including a massive arena show right here in Manchester.

She’s back with a bang, all right…

The solo star revealed the title and album cover for her sixth studio LP, Superbloom, in late January, and with the release date now fast approaching (Friday, 17 April), she’s gearing up for some truly huge gigs, both domestically and across Europe.

Set to make her Co-op Live debut later this year – the venue having booked so many big names already for 2026 – her Manc comeback can’t come soon enough.

Commenting on the announcement, the award-winning UK artist said: “I am so excited to be performing my biggest shows ever. We made it to arenas!!! I am playing iconic venues around the world, and I couldn’t be happier.

“The ‘Superbloom’ Tour will be filled with celebration, dancing, theatre, cowboys and goddesses, and of course a LOT of singing. Can’t wait to step into my garden where we all shall bloom!”

Born in London, she may not be a Northerner, but we’ve always had a lot of love for her music.

The 41-year-old has also found a whole new audience over the decade or so, thanks to the smash-hit podcast she records with her mum, Lennie, called Table Manners.

With her following stronger and more varied than ever, it’s no surprise she’s playing a space as big and industry-leading as the Co-op.

Confirming just four shows here in the UK and Ireland, us being the only other one in England bar The O2 in London, local fans can count themselves lucky she’s coming to our city.

Booking her return to 0161 for this winter, Jessie Ware comes to the Co-op Live arena in Manchester on 5 December, 2026.

Part and parcel of this venue, official Co-op members get early access, but you can also secure pre-sale by ordering her new album.

She’s also playing a more intimate in-store show here in town at the Arndale HMV if you miss out; see her socials for more info on that one.

As for general admission standing and seated tickets, you can get ready to grab yours from 9am on Thursday, 23 April, right HERE.

Olivia Dean at Co-op Live, Manchester- tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
She’s not the only female superstar coming to the Co-op this year…

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Featured Images — Press shots (EMI Records)

What's On

Olivia Dean at Co-op Live, Manchester- tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia Olivia Dean

The multi-award winning Olivia Dean is coming to Co-op Live in Manchester for two nights of her The Art of Loving Tour this April.

Pop and Neo-soul superstar Olivia Dean is continuing her phenomenal past 12 months by performing an arrangement of her hits and deep cuts from her newest LP The Art of Loving across the globe.

Dean recently scooped up four BRIT awards and three MOBO awards at the end of March right here at Co-op Live and now she’s returning to teach Manchester how to be ‘Nice To Each Other’.

The ‘Man I Need’ singer entered the music scene back in 2019 and instantly caught the attention of music lovers and critics alike, going on to receive a Mercury Prize nomination for her debut album Messy.

This isn’t the first time this ‘Lady Lady’ performed up North this year as Ms. Dean had Albert Hall Manchester ‘captivated’ as part of BRITs Week 26 for War Child back in February.

Gig guide | Olivia Dean at Co-op Live, Manchester – all you need to know

Olivia Dean is heading to Manchester for two shows at the impressive Co-op Live this April / Credit: Gwen Trannoy (Press shot)
Olivia Dean is heading to Manchester for two shows at the impressive Co-op Live this April / Credit: Gwen Trannoy (Press shot)

Olivia Dean UK tour dates

  • Wed 22 April – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
  • Thu 23 April – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
  • Sat 25 April – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
  • Sun 26 April – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
  • Wed 29 April – London, UK – The O2
  • Thu 30 April – London, UK – The O2
  • Fri 1 May – London, UK – The O2
  • Sat 2 May – London, UK – The O2
  • Thu 11 June – London, UK – The O2
  • Fri 12 June – London, UK – The O2

Are there tickets left for Olivia Dean at Co-op Live?

Olivia Dean is bringing The Art of Loving Tour to Manchester on 25 and 26 April / Credit: Jack Davison (Press Shot)
Olivia Dean is bringing The Art of Loving Tour to Manchester on 25 and 26 April / Credit: Jack Davison (Press Shot)

Now… here comes ‘The Hardest Part’, answering a question that’s on everybody’s lips and althought it might be ‘So Easy (To Fall In Love)’, getting tickets to Olivia Dean’s gig might be difficult.

These tickets are in very high demand and have sold-out on all major ticketing platforms, so if you’re up for seeing this powerhouse, you might have to set up reminders on Ticketmaster or official resale sites like Twickets.

Olivia Dean setlist for 2026 tour

The 'Man I Need' songwriter is performing live in Manchester at Co-op Live / Credit: Jack Davison (Press Shot)
The ‘Man I Need’ songwriter is performing live in Manchester at Co-op Live / Credit: Jack Davison (Press Shot)

The Art of Loving Tour hasn’t officially kicked off yet but based off the name of this current run of shows, we can only hope her sophomore album gets played in full.

Here is the track list for The Art of Loving:

  • The Art of Loving (Intro)
  • Nice To Each Other
  • Lady Lady
  • Close Up
  • So Easy (To Fall In Love)
  • Let Alone The One You Love
  • Man I Need
  • Something Inbetween
  • Loud
  • Baby Steps
  • A Couple Minutes
  • I’ve Seen It

Stage times for Olivia Dean at Co-op Live, Manchester

Doors for the ‘I Could Be A Florist’ hitmaker are set to open from 6.30pm with no official starting time listed yet.

Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm meaning you’ll have plenty of time to say ‘Ok Love You Bye’ and make it home in time before it gets to midnight.

How to get to Co-op Live

Tram

For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.

Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.

Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Bus

You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event.

Getting there by car and parking

If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.

The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.

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Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide on event day, though estimates will obviously vary:

  • Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
  • Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
  • Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.

There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:

  • Ashton Moss (Ashton line) – 183 spaces and 12 disabled spaces
  • Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
  • Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces

Walk/cycle

Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.

Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on 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. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.

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For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.

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

Featured Images – Gwen Trannoy / Jack Davison (Press Shots)

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