'It was completely free for months, then they suddenly starting charging me £25'

A disabled man has slammed Co-op Live as ‘unfair’ for introducing a £25 blue badge parking charge after it had been completely free for him to park there for just over a year.

David Jackson, who has been using a wheelchair for the past seven years after a stroke affected his right arm and leg movement 22 years ago, has been going to the arena since it opened last May.

The 77-year-old says the free blue badge parking system initially introduced by the arena was 'wonderful' as it meant he could get there and back safely without having to rely on public transport late into the night.

But in July 2025, new parking charges were introduced after the complimentary accessible parking offered during the venue’s opening season came to an end. A disabled parking space now costs £25 - the same as standard parking.

It means David now has to fork out - and says it doesn't seem fair that blue badge holders can use the same car park for free for a Manchester City game but now have to pay if they are going to the music venue.

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David said: "I love going to live music concerts. I was so excited when Co-op Live opened. What a great local venue for music! I've been to 12 concerts in the past year and it's marvellous.

“I couldn't get around before but now I've been able to go because my neighbour drives me there. Otherwise it would be very difficult to get there. The blue badge parking was wonderful. It meant we could get there and get home safely."

David, from Macclesfield, and his neighbour Carole say they’ve visited the venue around 15 times in the 18 months that it’s been open.

The pair have visited various other music venues around Manchester, many of which they have to pay