A ‘test event’ with Rick Astley took place last night, welcoming the first 11,000 fans to set foot in the venue at a cut-price £5 a ticket.
The schedule of full gigs starring huge acts – from Peter Kay to Barry Manilow – will attract many thousands more excited fans over the next few weeks. But for those living on the streets surrounding this vast new structure in east Manchester, which first broke ground back in 2021, ‘excited’ is not the only word that sums up the mood.
The arena is located at the heart of the Etihad Campus – right next to the City stadium – so it’s fair to say that residents of this area has long been used to the big crowds and traffic that having a top Premier League club on your doorstep inevitably brings.
But the prospect of evening gigs, with entertainment on up until 11pm, and more cars trying to park up around the arena is causing some trepidation. When filled to capacity, there will be up to 23,500 revellers heading inside making it the largest indoor arena in Europe.
Take a walk around some of the quiet residential streets close to the Co-op Live Arena off Alan Turing Way, and you are immediately struck by the many signs warning that these streets are ‘permit holder only’ zones. The resdients’ parking scheme has been extended by the council to more streets in recent months to prepare for the arena opening.
But some who live here have been going a step further – by taking their own precautions. On Darley Street, ‘do not park here’ signs are visible in front of houses, with residents keen to stop people driving into the area and parking in front of their drives.
Denne historien er fra April 21, 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 April 21, 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