Co-op Live and Manchester City are planning to transform the walking route from town to the Etihad Campus with a host of new attractions for music and football fans.
The ‘CityLink’ route was installed for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, between the Holt Town tram stop and the Manchester City ground and Sportcity.
Now plans have been submitted for the route to be rebuilt with interactive lighting installations, busking spots for performances by local musicians, and pop-up food and drink stalls.
Stewards for both the new Co-op Live music venue, which is to open in the spring, and the Etihad will also staff the route along the way.
“We are transforming the fan experience of live entertainment one step at a time,” said Gary Roden, executive director and general manager of Co-op Live.
“By investing in the regeneration of the walking route, we are providing a safe, and eco-friendly alternative to car travel and giving the local community a revitalised outdoor space that they can use all year round. This is everything we are about, and I am delighted this part of our vision is now becoming a reality.”
“Ensuring that our fans and visitors have more options for sustainable travel to and from the Etihad Campus is incredibly important as we continue to introduce new entertainment experiences to our site, and welcome more people to a growing year-round destination,” added Danny Wilson, managing director of Manchester City Operations.
“At the same time, in line with our ongoing and long-term commitments to the development and regeneration of our local area, we know that the upgraded ‘CityLink’ will benefit members of our local community who will now have a cleaner, brighter and safer walking route to use day in and day out.”
Co-op Live is set to open in just a couple of months time, and is set to be the UK’s largest indoor live entertainment venue.
Among those heading to Manchester to play will be Olivia Rodrigo, Pet Shop Boys, Take That, Nicki Minaj, Liam Gallagher, The Killers and Slipknot.
