Manchester’s largest venues AO Arena and Co-op Live come to blows over licensing row: “Simply unlawful”

nme.com:

set to open in the city this April.In a licensing meeting for the latter, ASM Global had objected over “public safety” reasons and accused the application for a licence being “simply unlawful”.Initially, ASM stated they had no issue with the new venue opening until midnight, however, issues arose at the prospect of the space being allowed to open until 2am at the weekend.

In written submissions to Manchester City Council’s licensing committee, the operator of AO Arena said it only wanted to promote licensing objectives to “safeguard public safety and the prevention of public nuisance”.The firm argued Co-op Live should close by midnight at the latest, and not be given the ability to open 24/7 on 25 occasions every year as requested.Gary Grant, representing AO Arena operators ASM Global, claimed that the brand took an interest in the appeal for a licence by Co-op Live as they are “significant stakeholders in Manchester’s cultural and leisure life” (via Manchester Evening News).From there, Co-op Live hit back at the AO Arena, accusing it of making a “ludicrous and disingenuous” objection to the £385million venue’s opening.

Barrister, Jeremy Phillips KC, also repeated claims that AO’s objection was “only about trade protection” and acknowledged the sense of competition between the two venues.“There’s a saying about pots and kettles.

It would be clear to the committee that it was not us that started any animosity to the Arena, or tried to strangle this venture from the outset,” he said.“I accept entirely that AO is entitled to comment on the application.