Co-Op Live Arena
CLIENT:
Oak View Group
PROJECT LOCATION:
Manchester, United Kingdom
PROJECT VALUE:
£7.2M
ARCHITECT:
N/A
PROJECT MANAGER:
N/A
CONTRACTOR
Bam Construction
Co-Op Live is the UK’s largest indoor arena and a landmark venue in Manchester. Vision Commercial Kitchens was appointed by BAM Construction to deliver the full foodservice installation, from kitchens to bars to a central refrigeration system. The project demanded exceptional project management, coordination, and control — and was shortlisted for the 2025 ceda Project Management Excellence Award.
Exceptional Scale, Coordinated Delivery
Vision was responsible for the full supply, delivery, and installation of foodservice systems across five floors of the arena — including:
32 bars
15 kitchens
9 marketplaces
18 cellars
A central CO2‚ refrigeration pack system
814 tagged equipment assets
Working from Tricon's Stage 4 design, Vision led the Stage 5 design and construction delivery — redrawing all areas for coordination into the live site model. Throughout the programme, we adapted our approach to accommodate major changes, including:
A mid-delivery redesign of the CO2‚ pack system to support a new beer delivery system
Modified hood designs and joinery reinforcement to meet the arena’s fire strategy and crowd loading
Integration of both ducted and recirculating canopies, with failsafe measures to prevent grease build-up
To manage the programme, we deployed a full-time site manager, three project managers, and a project director — supported by daily briefings, full HSE checklists, and detailed liaison with trades across joinery, HVAC, M&E, and beer systems.
At peak, Vision managed up to 60 operatives on site, contributing over 25,000 man-hours across the programme.
Delivering Clarity on a Fast-Moving Site
A project of this scale demanded first-class documentation and change control. The initial tender involved reviewing over 1,300 documents and three rounds of amendments, followed by extensive drawing and model updates as site conditions evolved.
Vision used:
MSITE for trade management and site coordination
BIM360 for clash detection, issue tracking, RAMS updates, and real-time site collaboration
Progress packs and physical handover documentation to maintain quality control
We also managed £3 million of vested equipment, all photographed, labelled, and certified for handover. Monthly certifications and equipment commissioning were carefully tracked - with manufacturer warranty periods activated precisely on install.
By consistently scoring highest in monthly H&S audits, winning supervisor of the month awards, and helping BAM meet key client KPIs, Vision became a trusted and proactive partner throughout delivery.
Testimonial
“Vision’s performance on the Co-Op Live Arena project was excellent. Their ability to manage such a complex undertaking, from the intricate installation of numerous kitchens and bars to the integration of a sophisticated refrigeration system, was impressive. The team were proactive in their problem-solving, maintained high standards of health and safety, and were dedicated to meeting our needs.
The event cover provided by Vision during our initial live events was particularly helpful, ensuring minimal disruption. Vision’s work exceeded our expectations, and we would highly recommend them for any large-scale project."
Mike McCarthy, Project Manager, BAM Construction
