Co-op Live  Reviews 279

So attended here last night to see Paul Heaton...the actual venue is shocking...far too many seats in too small a space...but I have to applaud the stewards that helped me...I was on the upper circle 3 rows from back...my son had booked the tickets as a 60th gift for me...he thought he had bought 2 end of aisle tickets as I have severe claustrophobia but can cope if I can get out...anyway got to our seats right in the middle of a row...soon as I sat down started having a severe panic attack and just had to get out...my son spoke to a steward to see if I could just stand in the doorway...but he took me to an area that they don't sell tickets for because of restricted view....and told to choose my seat....so sat 3 threes up with space all around me...and spent the rest of the evening completely relaxed and seat dancing....thankyou to the steward who made that possible....x

First time going and was a bit apprehensive after reading reviews. All I can say is from start to finish how helpful and friendly staff are. I realised just hours before arrival due to my son now needing to take medical equipment with him our seats would not be suitable . I didn't have much hope as it was short notice but decided to email and see. Fantastic service within a couple of back and forth emails everything was sorted given a new accessible entrance no worries about getting lost as lots of helpful staff to point you in the right direction, we were sent to fan services who already had our names , gave us wristbands and new allocated seats. Shown to a lift and escorted to our location. Brilliant. Easy to go for drinks and loo brakes. When the show ended was asked our mode of transport and we was going for an uber, a lovely lady Lauren explained it was a bit of a walk to that area and would try to get a taxi closer. Long story but we were there quite a while despite the help of so many stewards , I just couldn't believe how they were going out of there way to help. I want to say a massive thank you to Lauren for rallying the troops and staying with us until we managed to get a taxi, what an asset you are. SO big thank you coop live you were amazing!!!!

Couldn't fault the staff who were both friendly and helpful. The problem is they've squashed too many seats in to the venue. I'm only 5'4" and there was absolutely no leg room whatsoever. The seats are too narrow and the seats in front of you too low making you feel unsafe. It's the only concert I've been to where I haven't stood up at any point. Paul Heaton was amazing though as were the Lightening Seeds and the Zutons. Wouldn't go there again whoever was playing there.

It was a total shambles. I'd never go there again. Co-op Live had some sort of deal with Ticketmaster and both told you that you'd need the Co-op Live App to get in, but after wasting hours trying to get either of them to work on my phone, and failing, the barcode on the tickets in the Ticketmaster website worked anyway! Queued for nearly 2 hours in the drizzle (thankfully it wasn't raining) just to get into the venue. It's in Manchester, so why not provide some cover?
Narrow, steep stairs, seat numbers invisible in the low light levels, narrow seats tight on leg-room and I'm only 5'9"! But it's a scruffy built on the cheap with a warehouse feel place. And why do you need to get your barcode scanned to buy a cuppa outside the venue? Got parked in the college down the road for £20 and no hold up getting out - one positive there! Only saving grace was the performance by Paul McCartney - I'll never ever subject myself to that dump again.

The queueing was terrible in the rain but got in easily enough at the end. You need a mortgage to buy drinks. £35 for a lager and two small cans of wine. Seats very narrow.. probably want to cram more people in for more money. My biggest bugbear is it's a new stadium so you think that health and safety would be utmost in todays society . However there were no rails on the steps going down to the seat. There should be a rail in the middle to help people with walking difficulties etc. I watched one poor lady and she practically was carried down the steps by her son in front and one behind . She told me if there'd been a rail she could have done it, albeit slowly on her own. Such a no no in a new venue.
To me all that mattered was seeing Paul McCartney and he was above great.

Absolute shambles! Visited on 14th December queued for ages 4 different stewards told us to "stay in the line" for entrance D but when we eventually got to the front we were in the wrong place, some of the stewards hadn't got a clue what they were doing. I have been to many venues but never experienced anything like this so badly organised. BTW Sir Paul was brilliant

Avoid this arena. Worst one I have ever been to. Stewards hopeless. Queued one and a half hours in rain, which was over a mile long. Wouldn’t go to this one again no matter who was playing.Been to Wembley and Cardiff this year to see Springsteen and Billy Joel. Just walked in venues no long lines to join.Enjoyed a drink in both before shows.We only just made it in to this co-op arena ,when we where told to take our seats the show will be starting. People who where still in the Queue outside must of missed the opening songs.But McCartney was Fantastic

14 December, no organisation, same as other reviews, huge queues but no information about which door you were queuing for. Too few stewards and those you could see were squabbling amongst themselves. Dangerously over crowded at times while in a queue. From car park to getting in the arena we walked 1.5 miles snaking around the venue. Escalator not working. Seating cramped and narrow. Have tickets for another gig next year which I will be selling, will never go back. Paul McCartney saved the evening.

Stewards are absolutely useless what is the point of them. Escalators don’t work so I had to climb several flights of stairs. I have issues with walking and needed to sit down. There are folding seats visible through the staff only doors I asked if I could use the chair for 5 minutes. Steward said “no” need to speak to supervisor. Spoke to supervisor Andrew who was quite gormless and did not appear to understand the question.He eventually grasped what I was asking and said vacantly that they couldn’t let me use the seat for 5 minutes as everyone would do want to do the same!! Accessibility is very poor or non existent if you aren’t in a wheelchair. I suppose they have my money so my comfort is of no concern. I’m registered disabled and this place especially the staff are a joke.

14th December. From pre-booked Co-op Live adjacent car park to getting in - 2 hours in the cold rain in a chaotic mess of disorganisation. Fitbit said we walked 2.5 miles from a start point 200 yards away from stadium. The gates opened late and the mass of people outside just trying to find the right queue was frightening at times. Once inside the price of drinks etc was astonishing. The seats are so narrow it’s a joke. Total rip-off and criminally disorganised, we won’t be back soon. Paul McCartney was superb by the way and he and his group saved the day.

I am absolutely appalled that the Co-op venue feel they can treat paying customers in such a way. They recommend on their website for the best experience arrive between 5.30pm to 6.30pm, what they don't tell you is from 5.30pm you will be stood outside in the freezing cold and rain until they open the doors at 6.30pm. I have no idea why they feel we should all think this is a good experience. I will never return to this venue. For anyone who does decide to go don't be fooled, find out what time the act is on stage and arrive 30 minutes before. This way you won't be paying the extortionate prices for drinks. I come from Rochdale where the Co-op began how far they have sunk since those good people founded the organisation.

Farce in Hangout at Same Fender. Firstly, how do you actually complain to these people at Coop, I can see no process for complaining on their website. Yes, a contact page but no complaints process I can see - so that in a way says beware.
I've been to Cooplive before and been happy, entry was easy this and last time, parking OK getting in (but attendants were talking and not guiding people into correct lanes!!), getting out was almost an hour wait. Sort out your posy show traffic mgmt please. The main issues were with our seats in Hangout section. We had tickets on 7th to see Sam Fender. When we go there, Hangout VIP, the guy who looks after you at the entrance couldn't even find our seats. All seats had a number but ours didn't as they wee actually almost against the wall, behind where the artist stand - so pretty bad for VIP. So bad our seats/chairs hadn't even been numbered. Frustrated we went for a drink, came back, sat down and the got asked to move, as they'd 'put the curtain at the wrong end', so moved it in front of our seat. Immediately in font of our seats, total blackout, zero view. I asked what we should now do, and they moved us to two booked but empty seats, we were in early to see the support band. Later, when people arrived, we had to move out of those seats and stand up all night, in the VIP section, trying to see between people shoulders. Really bad. So beware, clearly no one from Cooplive has done their due diligence here!!! Shame as in the past I've been happy with them at Coop live but this VIP experience was a complete farce. I've filled in the online contact form but had no reply from Coop!!

Not going to write much, it's already been written, it's all true! Venues that were build decades before can quickly and efficiently get their guests in and out, not here though. An hour of snaking around and away from the venue in the pi**ing rain was no fun. Won't be going back regardless of who's appearing.

£25 to park. £14 for a hot dog. Seats with very little room when sat down. At least the acts were very good but Co-op live can't take credit for that. I prefer MEN Arena.

I went in June 2024 to see the Eagles and had a pleasant enough experience. A bit of queuing for the toilets and we had to walk back into town.
I have recently bought a pair of tickets for Springsteen and that has been quite hectic. I tried to get access to the pre-sale by getting a Co-op membership; however, you can't download the app from Ireland and their customer service won't get back to me. I managed to get tickets though for the 20th. Then a 3rd date was added and I got a pair of tickets then because it was more suitable for us. Unfortunately, Co-op live doesn't allow resale on Ticketmaster, which I find shocking as it is such a safe way to sell and buy tickets at the original price. Again, no customer service reply there.

First time visiting the area to attend a Sam Fender gig and I am so impressed. Easy to check in, place was really clean and fantastic customer service. View was fantastic and the sound is just next level however I do agree that the seats are a tad uncomfortable and would imagine very snug for larger people. I used the arena car park and whilst the cost was a little steep at £25 I can understand their ethos of actively encouraging people to use public transport wherever possible hence the inflated charge. It took me a grand total of 10 mins to exit the car park with plenty of car park stewards available despite me hearing stories people had sat there for an age. Overall really impressed and can’t wait to go again

So fabulous! We went to see Sam Fender and it was super easy to get in to, security was fast, and the place is nipping clean! - staff are super helpful and direct you if you're stuck! The sound is really good and the view was amazing! I will say the seats are steep, so be super careful! But really pleased we went and ignored the views

Do not pay to use the Coop live arena official car park, went to watch Sam Fender was left in the car park for hours not moving when the event had ended, no guidance from any of the stewards to help the situation, venue it's self was full of everyone vaping inside, worst venue I have attended so far.

Superb venue, very well organised, great seats in a VIP box and free parking, swift exit from the car park too!
Good value drinks and our own bar and personal service. Faultless!

Worst experience. Traffic was awful just to get into the pre paid parking. Ticket didn't work but ushered us through. Put into entrance C when it should of been F. Had to wait over 20 minutes to get to the front, for my tickets not to work due to wrong entrance. Found our seats which had different numbers on. Stewards said that's normal to have different numbers. Smaller than normal seats so people struggled to pass. Interval felt like the full 23500 audience went for a drink. Couldn't get through the crowd as no one could move. Steward next to me crying as people were panicking as they were being crushed. Charged £10 for a can of cider. Toilets a joke as no one could get to them. Even the men were queuing! Couldn't get out quick enough when the performance finished
to be faced with a 40 minute wait to get out the car park.
I won't be going back as its a death trap waiting to happen. How it's been passed on any safety regulations is a mystery.