Latest stage of entertainment zone near City ground

A city's councillors have unanimously approved plans for a 600-capacity entertainment venue.

The scheme at the Etihad Campus close to Manchester City's ground won the backing of the council's planning committee during a meeting on Thursday.

It will form part of the £300m entertainment zone called Medlock Square near to the Co-op Live arena.

Plans for the new venue were submitted earlier this year.

Questions were asked during the council meeting about its impact on the roads and local area when events are taking place at the Etihad Stadium, Co-op Live, and new theatre venue at the same time.

It is thought there will be around 15 arena and match days taking place over the year.

A council officer said 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".

Planners noted in their report that "the venue would contribute to Manchester's reputation as a vibrant city, attracting visitors and supporting tourism".

They added: "It would be open throughout the year, creating around 150 jobs. One hundred construction direct jobs would be created with [gross value added] of £18m. A local labour agreement would prioritise local residents for jobs."

The 3,000-capacity Medlock Square entertainment zone has been billed as a "year-round hub for culture, leisure and entertainment", and is set to include bars, restaurants and cafes, a sky-walk with views over the Manchester skyline, a zip-wire and a three-storey office block.

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