Manchester City's new entertainment venue at the Etihad Campus has been unanimously approved by councillors. The 600-person capacity venue will be part of a £300m entertainment zone called Medlock Square, located next to the Etihad Stadium.
Approval Details
The scheme won the backing of the council's planning committee during a meeting on June 11. Plans were submitted earlier this year, and approval opens the way for the venue to host a Manchester production of the interactive Mamma Mia! The Party experience.
Location and Impact
The venue will sit near Co-op Live and form part of Medlock Square, a year-round hub for culture, leisure, and entertainment. During the council meeting, questions were raised about potential traffic and local area impacts when events coincide at the Etihad Stadium, Co-op Live, and the new theatre. It is estimated there will be around 15 arena and match days per year.
A council officer responded: “The reality is when you have a huge facility like this close to the city centre, the impetus will always be to ensure that as many people as possible get there by public transport or active forms of transport, that’s the objective of the strategy that we have for the campus.”
Economic Boost
The approved scheme is expected to be a major boost for Manchester. Planning reports state: “The venue would contribute to Manchester's reputation as a vibrant city, attracting visitors and supporting tourism. It would be open throughout the year, creating around 150 jobs. 100 construction direct jobs would be created with a GVA [gross value added] of £18m. A local Labour agreement would prioritise local residents for jobs.”
Medlock Square Features
The 3,000-capacity Medlock Square entertainment zone has been billed as a year-round hub, set to include bars, restaurants, cafés, a sky-walk offering views over the Manchester skyline, a zip-wire, and a three-storey office block.
The club recently opened its newly expanded north stand, increasing the Etihad Stadium's capacity to over 60,000.
