At Screen Manchester we are extremely fortunate to be able to showcase the very best venues and locations across The City to the Film & TV industry!
As we assist broadcasters and producers to make scripts jump from page to screen it is important that we reveal a range of locations to match with the many and varied requests that land on our desks every day! Manchester possesses a wide and varied spectrum of choices – from the ultra-modern to characterful nooks and crannies capable of transporting us to times gone by.
“Location of the Month” is one of our most popular regular web features which also plays out across our social media platforms. This month our focus falls on Manchester’s Co-op Live which since its 2024 opening has become a focal point for anyone seeking to find and enjoy the best in live entertainment.
As the UK’s premiere purpose-built music-first arena, Co-op Live innovative design brings fans closer to the artist. Boasting exceptional acoustics, celebrated by fans and artists alike, alongside cutting edge visual technology, and a unique auditorium, Co-op Live guarantees audiences the best show possible whether standing or seated, in this industry-leading space designed to welcome the biggest and most exciting global artists.
But it doesn’t stop there! Co-op Live includes a host of fabulous spaces all of which have the potential to be showcased on both silver and television screens. Screen Manchester, working with the team at Co-op Live, would love to introduce the Film and High End TV Industry to the extraordinary opportunities this phenomenal venue offers to a world always on the lookout for somewhere new and previously unseen!
Situated by the world famous Eithad Stadium, home to Manchester City FC, Co-op Live is a short distance from Manchester City Centre and is easily reached by road, rail, Metrolink and, for the energetic on foot. It’s Campus location also ensures significant space for hosting production vehicles, and on-site parking. The venue itself includes a designated private service yard with space for coach parking, and 8 loading bays.
Manchester of course is well connected to the rest of the UK and indeed the world – Manchester Airport boasts direct flights to LAX.
So – what choices are available to producers besides the obvious arena-focused events? Click the link below for a short breakdown of some of the amazing spaces that can be explored and opened to cast and crew.
Becci Thompson, Premium and Sponsorship Sales Director, Co-op Live says: “From the vast blank canvas of our branding-free auditorium to a whole host of stunningly designed ancillary spaces, Co-op Live is ideal for dynamic on-location shoots. Our location is perfect, very close to the city centre but with enough private parking to host production vehicles of all scale and sizes. If interested, my brilliant team and I are ready to show you just what Co-op Live has to offer.”
It doesn’t stop here! So many boxes need to be ticked these days and Co-op Live leaves none un-checked. In a world where we must always be held to account when it comes to the environment, Co-op Live has a vision to be the most sustainable arena in Europe, with the building designed with sustainability at its core. Putting people and planet first is the team’s priority in everything they do and at Co-op Live there is a commitment to doing more to use less. Producers can rest assured that their green credentials will be well supported by the following.
- Locally sourced construction materials and food
- Air source heat pumps
- Zero waste direct to landfill
- A football pitch of solar panels
- Toilets that flush with rainwater
- Intelligent building controls
- Increased biodiversity by planting trees and wildflowers around the arena’s perimeter and along our newly opened walking route.
- Reusable cups
- Sustainable travel options
Co-op Live isn’t just another arena. It has heart and is donating at least £1m annually to the Co-op Foundation supporting local and national good causes, alongside £200,000 per year for local charitable causes governed by local councillors and Manchester City Council.
Ensuring that Co-op Live gives back to the local community there are complimentary ticket ballots for local residents for select shows, a quarterly open-door event, and updates through a monthly newsletter.
So – undoubtedly a venue that offers so much to the modern world of production.
As Bobby Cochrane, Film Office Manager for Screen Manchester says: “Producers are always keen to find somewhere new for interior shoots when on location. The beauty of the spaces offered by Co-op Live is not only that they are film crew friendly but also that they are so mindful of the requirements of all the various rules and regulations around environmental and sustainability that are set out by our industry’s governing bodies. A production team can confidently arrive and film knowing that their production is being supported by a team that fully understands and shares aims and objectives.”