Roden also points to its acoustic and environmental credentials

Roden also points to its acoustic and environmental credentials, and to the different food and drink options on multiple levels - instead of just one "soulless" corridor with basic offerings.

He thinks Manchester can sustain two major indoor venues, and says the ambition is "not to compete with the existing arena".

"If we focus on bringing more to Manchester, then we'll be fine," he says. "That is about Manchester having a facility that can bring somebody in like the Eagles that will just come to Manchester rather than going to London."

In truth, though, Co-op Live is competing with its existing Manchester rival, and it's not clear whether the town is big enough for both of them.

"It's going to be difficult for an artist to say, 'Yeah, I've booked the arena that is 30 years old versus the arena that's brand new'," Roden continues. "That's the reality of the situation."