Business

Dining

Events

What is the minimum venue hire cost for The Bowl at Co-op Live?

The Bowl venue hire starts at £70,000 + VAT per day, with some quotes showing £100,000 per day minimum. This is for the main arena space that can accommodate large events with thousands of attendees.

What capacity does The Bowl accommodate and what events is it suitable for?

The Bowl is designed for large-scale events requiring significant capacity, typically handling events with 1,000-4,000+ attendees. It's suitable for conferences, corporate events, concerts, and award ceremonies that need arena-scale space.

Are there smaller event spaces available for events under 1,000 people?

Based on the venue's responses, events with smaller numbers (under 1,000 people) would need to use The Bowl, which has the same minimum £70,000-£100,000 daily hire cost regardless of actual attendance numbers. No alternative smaller spaces are mentioned for corporate events.

What are the typical catering costs for large conferences at Co-op Live?

Conference catering is priced at £30 per person per day, including arrival pastries, three servings of tea and coffee, and sandwich lunch. For a drinks reception, expect £50 per person including choice of three canapés and two hours of unlimited house drinks.

Is there an additional setup day charge and what does it include?

Yes, there is a separate setup day charge of £30,000 + VAT for access to The Bowl and Vertu Place areas. This is typically charged for the day before your main event for equipment setup and preparation.

How far in advance do I need to book and what affects availability?

Availability can be limited by confirmed concerts and other major events. The venue may decline bookings if concert dates conflict with your requested dates, so early booking is essential for securing your preferred dates.

What AV equipment and technical facilities are included in the venue hire?

The venue offers in-house AV capabilities including staging, multiple microphone options (lapel and handheld), screens, projectors, and sound systems. Specific technical requirements and costs for AV equipment are quoted based on individual event needs.

Can the venue accommodate exhibitions and vendor stalls alongside conferences?

Yes, The Bowl can accommodate exhibitions with vendor stalls as part of conference packages. The space can be configured for both plenary sessions and expo areas, with quotes showing this combined usage for large-scale events.

What is the venue's location and accessibility information?

Co-op Live is located at 1 Sportcity Way, Etihad Campus, Manchester, M11 3DL. The venue emphasizes accessibility features and can accommodate wheelchair access for both attendees and stage areas.

Are there any budget thresholds that make events unviable?

Yes, events with budgets significantly below the minimum venue hire costs are typically declined. For example, a £2,500 budget for a 4,000-person event was deemed insufficient, as The Bowl's minimum daily hire alone starts at £70,000-£100,000 + VAT.