Coop Live Manchester

[June2008]

We are going to an event at the Coop Live arena in Manchester, and we're looking for somewhere to stay nearby. We'll be driving up from the south coast so will need parking.
Can anyone suggest somewhere that we can get to easily after the concert?
We have been looking at the Travelodge in Ashton under Lyne - is the tram doable?
Thanks!

We got the tram in from Ashton when we went. It was really easy. And most people were taking trams back to Manchester afterwards- it was definitely easier to get on the Ashton tram.

We stayed at the Travelodge in Ashton when Co-op Live had just opened and found it very convenient but I think we were very lucky with the tram. My DS stayed when he went to see Paul McCartney a few months later and gave up on the tram back as the queue was enormous. If you're prepared for that (and have a bit more patience than DS) then I would say it's a good bet.

Yes the team is very doable but it will be hellishly busy of course. Crammed in like sardines for the whole journey. I have heard the queues for the trams are well managed though so you should get back to Ashton eventually.

Buses will be no better. No chance of an Uber.

The lit path for the walk back into the city centre is good and then you can easily get to other Manchester city hotels. There's an Ibis towards the end of it that would be handy. Haven't tried the Ashton option but sounds like it'd make sense.