ITS opening might have been plunged into chaos, but pub landlords near the new Co-op Live arena hope that when it's finally up-and-running - the £365m venue will provide a welcome boost to trade.
With more than 23,000 people set to pack out the arena several nights a week, local boozers in nearby Beswick and Bradford are hoping giggoers will pop in for a few pints before the show.
And with drinks prices a fraction of what's being charged inside, they'll be saving a few quid if they do.
"It can only be good for business I can't see it not being good," said Tony Carroll, long-serving landlord of The Townley on Albert Street in Beswick.
"If we get 100 people in and they all spend a fiver that's £500 that we wouldn't normally have. If we get 10 people in it's 10 customers we wouldn't normally have.
"City have looked after us for 15 years, this is just a bonus. The only thing is the parking is going to be crazy. "There will be teething problems, but give it 12 months and it will settle down. But City have been putting concerts on for 15-20 years and they're always great." Tony, who has run the pub for 27 years, says the arena's opening is just the latest step in the remarkable transformation of this once run-down and neglected corner of east Manchester.
"Thirty years ago nobody wanted to know east Manchester - look at it now," he said. "Houses are going for £300k.
"Back then you could have bought the whole of Beswick for £300k. The area is just getting better and better."
Denne historien er fra May 05, 2024-utgaven av MEN on Sunday.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 05, 2024-utgaven av MEN on Sunday.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Bethell relishing Old Trafford T20 decider
JACOB Bethell was pleased to get down to business for England after admitting he struggled to shut out the external noise during a low-key international debut.
Is this turning point that boss so badly needs?
Victory buys Ten Hag breathing space, but now United must capitalise on it
Food for thought for the Insta diners
Why we need to disconnect from our phones for the best eating out experience
'It would normally be packed but now! it's a GHOST TOWN'
Traders warn they won't survive the loss of spaces after water company closed car park
Man used trafficked woman to make more than £100k
A MAN profited from the exploitation of a vulnerable woman to the tune of more than £100,000.
'You imagine there would be a lot of barking but it was silent?
The devastating Manchester Dogs Home fire ten years on
Couple's home hit by car for THIRD time
Pair forced to evacuate property
Shopkeeper faces £20k costs to undo changes he made
Business owner was refused permission for work already done
Disorder'more anti-government than racism'
Barrister makes claim as thug who attacked bus during trouble outside hotel housing asylum seekers jailed
'There's no characters left'
Traders and customers' sadness as shutters come down on market for final time
