MPs’ backing for second arena
MPs GIVE BACKING TO PLANS FOR NEW EASTLANDS VENUE
THE operators of the Manchester Arena should sell up if they do not welcome the competition of a rival venue in the city, an MP has claimed.
Blackley and Broughton MP Graham Stringer has made the comment as he throws his weight behind plans for a new indoor music, sport and live entertainment arena next door to the Etihad Stadium.
The Manchester Central MP, and Shadow Business Minister, Lucy Powell has also added her support to the project saying the new jobs it will create are invaluable given the current economic state of the country.
Plans for the 23,500 capacity venue, which would become the biggest in Britain, were formally submitted in March and are set to be debated and decided upon by councillors in due course.
Bosses have said they would be ‘aggressive’ in trying to attract events such as award shows and elite sport as well as big music tours.
The £350m privately funded project is vehemently opposed by those behind the existing Manchester Arena who say it could force them out of business and impact on the city centre economy.
However in a letter, submitted as part of the ongoing public consultation, and sections of which have been seen by the M.E.N, Mr Stringer claims ‘competition is a good thing’ and that Manchester could be left behind cities like Birmingham and London, which both have multiple arenas, if the plans are rejected. He has also gone further suggesting bosses of the existing Manchester Arena should put it up for sale if they not believe the city can grow to accommodate two big indoor venues.
In the strongly-worded letter Labour’s Mr Stringer says: “Saying ‘no’ is not the Manchester way. It never has been.
“Ours is a city whose reach has always exceeded its grasp. A city that can.
“Manchester Arena is a great asset, but I have to disagree that a city like Manchester and the wider region does not have the potential to support two arenas from 2023 onwards
“If the operators of Manchester Arena do not share my confidence about the future of our city then they should put it up for sale.”
The MP whose Manchester Central constituency includes both the existing arena, and the proposed new venue, Lucy Powell, said: “I do support it, as I think it will support a lot of private investment into a part of the city that always needs it.”
The Manchester Arena announced just before lockdown in March plans for a revamp of their venue and an increase of the capacity from 21,000 to 24,000.