United Kingdom, Manchester
February 2026
N/A
Traditional Drapery, Track System, Manufacturing
Event Venue, Bar, Restaurant
Co-op Live officially opened on 14 May 2024 with a headline performance by Elbow. The venue marked a major milestone for live entertainment in the UK. It also set a new benchmark for arena capacity. With space for up to 23,500 people, it has the largest maximum capacity of any indoor arena in the United Kingdom.
After completing earlier work on the arena’s perimeter dividing drapes, J&C Joel returned to Co-op Live at the invitation of ITS Interiors. This time, the team worked in a new and highly exclusive part of the venue: the Barclays VIP Suite. The project required a tailored approach to meet the functional and aesthetic expectations of this premium hospitality space.
The team manufactured eight bespoke drapes for the VIP Suite. Each drape used a client-selected fabric: Bronby Kane 4806 from Sunbury Design. The suite required both a refined visual finish and strong acoustic performance. This fabric choice helped achieve both.
The drapes improved the space both visually and practically. They softened the acoustic environment within the suite. They also created flexible dividers across entrances and openings. This improved comfort and functionality within the VIP area.
The project required around 73 metres of fabric. Each drape featured a wave header pleat with 50% fullness. This created a consistent and elegant drape profile. However, the size of each drape varied depending on its location. Both the drop and width were tailored to fit each opening.
Finally, J&C Joel installed the drapes using track systems from Silent Gliss. The combination of bespoke fabrication, thoughtful design, and precise installation completed the project successfully. The finished drapery complements the premium setting of the Barclays VIP Suite. It also provides practical acoustic and spatial benefits.
