As well as developing an alliance of like-minded venues across Europe, OVG is working with Blakeney on multiple development projects, chief amongst them Manchester. Manchester has had an arena in the city centre since 1995; but, as the live entertainment market has grown and other major European cities added venues, Manchester has fallen behind.

Blakeney launched the £350m arena project for OVG in February this year, and a planning application was submitted a week later. Throughout the planning process OVG’s project gained significant support from local councillors and politicians, the media, and the industry, as well as de-escalating concerns that could have affected the application.

The application received consent in September, following a unanimous vote for approval by Manchester City Council’s planning committee. The new 23,500-seat arena will be the most sustainable venue in the UK and Europe, supporting the council’s ambition to make Manchester a zero-carbon city by 2038, and ensuring it remains a world-leading music city while bringing significant economic benefits.

After approval was granted, OVG announced a 15-year partnership with the Co-operative Group, which will see the arena named Co-op Live. The partnership will ensure a minimum of £1million annual donations to charities and good causes in Manchester and around the UK.

We’re proud to introduce Co-op Live, a 15-year partnership between Oak View Group and the Co-op on an exciting new venue for #Manchester – the largest in the UK, and one of the most sustainable and socially responsible arenas in Europe. https://t.co/Rg5ZuwnRYi pic.twitter.com/c4X0AYTUT6

— Co-op Live (@TheCoopLive) September 26, 2020

The Blakeney team is first class, and they’ve felt like part of our team from day one. From creating a strategy, to advising on political and stakeholder engagement, to delivering media coverage, Blakeney’s work is invaluable, and having them on our team is a strategic advantage.

Sam Piccione - President, OVG International