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    Inside the £365m new UK’s largest indoor arena backed by Harry Styles that could host boxing and UFC superfights

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    THIS is the £365million state-of-the-art Co-op Live arena in Manchester which is set to officially open on April 23.Based next to the Etihad Stadium it will become the UK’s largest indoor arena with an impressive capacity of 23,500, surpassing the 21,000 AO Arena also in Manchester.
    Co-op Live will open on April 23Credit: Oak View Group
    The UK’s largest indoor arena is set to become the home of boxing and UFCCredit: Coop Live
    The venue is a short stroll from the Etihad ArenaCredit: Getty – Contributor
    And it looks set to challenge London’s O2 for the country’s biggest boxing bouts.
    Co-op Live is funded by Oak View Group (OVG) and City Football Group (CFG), which owns Manchester City.
    This led to the complex being built on the Etihad Campus, just a stroll away from the City’s Etihad Stadium.
    And Manchester United fan pop star Harry Styles is also an investor with the arena to be a music-first venue.
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    Styles said: “I am incredibly proud to be partnering with OVG on their plans for Co-op Live.
    “Manchester is an incredible city, filled with incredible people and I couldn’t be happier being involved in this project. It very much feels like coming home…
    “I was drawn to this project on every level, from the opportunities it brings, to the contribution it will make to the city, and most importantly, that it will allow even more live music to thrive in Manchester.”
    Music will be the centre for Co-op Live, as with most of the UK’s top indoor arenas, and it is planned to host around 120 events per year, 100 of which are expected to be concerts.
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    But it will also host other events including sports and has ambitions to become home to boxing and UFC fight nights.
    Manchester Arena was the birthplace of Jake Paul’s boxing career after older brother Logan fought KSI.
    KSI’s manager Mams Taylor reveals terms for huge Jake Paul grudge fight
    The arena also hosted Mike Tyson’s first fight in the UK.
    And Michael Bisping defeated Dan Henderson for the middleweight title at UFC 204 in 2016.
    Her SunSport take a look inside the new Co-op Live.
    Low ceilings
    The venue will include 32 bars and restaurants plus 12 lounges.
    With a unique bowl design, it has the largest floor space of any indoor arena with a much lower ceiling than many venues – with tiered seating also included.
    Their website says: “Cutting edge visual technology, exceptional acoustics and innovative sound bowl design means the best show possible whether standing or seated.
    “In a space designed to welcome the biggest and most exciting global artists.”
    The venue will include 32 bars and restaurants plus 12 loungesCredit: Coop Live
    Co-op Live will primarily focus on hosting musicCredit: Coop Live
    Environmental friendly
    The arena will only use renewable electricity from the 10,500 solar panels on site.
    With no gas, the venue will be powered, heated and cooled with zero carbon emissions.
    It will produce no landfill waste and is also set to collect Manchester’s rainwater to flush its toilets and water its plants.
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    Co-op Live has been built using local suppliers, with a facade from Salford, steel from Bolton, and seats made in Britain.
    It has been confirmed that the venue is set to open on April 23 with a headline act by comedian Peter Kay.
    Co-op Live will be powered purely by renewable energyCredit: Coop Live More

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      Shocking moment boozy ex-Premier League star CRASHES his Land Rover through wall of a Co-op ‘after 10 pints’

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      THIS is the shocking moment a former Premier League star crashes his Land Rover through the wall of a Co-op, having sunk as many as 10 pints.Dad-of-three Danny Graham, who started his footballing career with Middlesbrough FC, was nearly three times the legal limit when he drove his 4×4 on November 4, 2022.
      The doors of the Co-op go flying as the Land Rover crashes through the shop entrance
      Debris can be seen littering the shop floor
      Graham during his playing days with Sunderland ini a match against Bristol Rovers in September 2020Credit: Rex
      The 37-year-old from Wynyard, County Durham, said he “can’t remember” why he got behind the wheel having drunk “up to 10 pints”.
      Graham, appearing at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Friday, pleaded guilty to drink driving.
      CCTV footage has now been released showing the moment that the former striker smashed through the store front of the Co-op in the village.
      The shocking smash happened just over a minute after a customer had left the shop with their dog, the court heard
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      Footage shows the doors flying open as smashed glass and debris litter the shop floor.
      Graham, who also had stints at Watford, Swansea and Blackburn Rovers, said at the hearing he had been playing golf before going to a friend’s house to have some drinks.
      He has now been banned from driving for two years and given a 12-month community order in which he must carry out 180 hours unpaid work.
      Graham was also handed a 90-day alcohol ban, which will be monitored by a tag that can detect even a “small glass of sherry”.
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      He must also pay a surcharge and costs of £199.
      Chairman of the bench Nigel Guerin warned him he would be jailed if he flouted the driving ban, saying: “You are a well-known person and a lot of people in Wynyard will know you.
      “If you get behind the wheel of a car I’m sure someone will get in touch with the police.”
      The court was told the forward was breathalysed at hospital after the crash.
      He was found to have 230mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mg.
      The shop had to close for five days and stock worth more than £5,000 was damaged – with a total loss of around £32,000.
      Michael Lawson, prosecuting, said: “Luckily, no-one was injured as a result of this collision.”
      The court was told Graham had never been arrested before the “unwise incident”.
      Veteran striker Graham began his playing career at Middlesbrough in 2004 where he scored one goal in 15 appearances for the club.
      After spells on loan at Leeds United, Darlington, Derby County and Blackpool, he signed with Carlisle in 2007.
      He spent two years at the club and scored 29 goals before moving to Watford.
      Graham left the club for then-Premier League side Swansea in 2011 and made 54 appearances before his three-year stint at Sunderland.
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      He left the Black Cats in 2016 and spent four years with Blackburn Rovers where he netted 45 goals in 158 appearances.
      Graham returned to Sunderland in 2020 before retiring from professional football a year later.
      Danny Graham’s Land Rover can be seen wedged in the Co-opCredit: NNP
      Graham has been banned from driving for two years and given a 12-month community order in which he must carry out 180 hours unpaid workCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      Former Premier League star admits ploughing Land Rover into Co-op store while 3 times over the drink-drive limit

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      A FORMER Premier League star mounted the pavement and ploughed into a Co-op while three times over the drink-drive limit.Ex-Sunderland striker Danny Graham was driving his Land Rover through the exclusive Wynyard Estate in County Durham when the horror unfolded.
      Danny Graham’s Land Rover can be seen wedged in the Co-opCredit: NNP
      The footballer has admitted drink-drivingCredit: Reuters
      Graham, 37, mounted the kerb before smashing the flash motor into the village Co-op store.
      Shocking pictures showed the 4×4 wedged in the front of the shop, which suffered substantial damage.
      Graham, who also had stints at Middlesbrough, Watford, Swansea and Blackburn Rovers, today admitted drink-driving.
      He has now been banned from driving for two years and given a 12-month community order in which he must carry out 180 hours unpaid work.
      Read more on the Premier League
      Graham was also handed a 90-day alcohol ban, which will be monitored by a tag that can detect even a “small glass of sherry”.
      Chairman of the bench Nigel Guerin warned him he would be jailed if he flouted the driving ban, saying: “You are a well-known person and a lot of people in Wynyard will know you.
      “If you get behind the wheel of a car I’m sure someone will get in touch with the police.”
      Teesside Magistrates’ Court was told the forward was breathalysed at hospital after the crash in November last year.
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      He was found to have 230mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80mg.
      The shop had to close for five days and stock worth more than £5,000 was damaged – with a total loss of around £32,000.
      Michael Lawson, prosecuting, said: “Luckily, no-one was injured as a result of this collision.”
      The court was told Graham had never been arrested before the “unwise incident”.
      Veteran striker Graham began his playing career at Middlesbrough in 2004 where he scored one goal in 15 appearances for the club.
      After spells on loan at Leeds United, Darlington, Derby County and Blackpool, he signed with Carlisle in 2007.
      He spent two years at the club and scored 29 goals before moving to Watford.
      Graham left the club for then-Premier League side Swansea in 2011 and made 54 appearances before his three-year stint at Sunderland.
      He left the Black Cats in 2016 and spent four years with Blackburn Rovers where he netted 45 goals in 158 appearances.
      Read More on The Sun
      Graham returned to Sunderland in 2020 before retiring from professional football a year later.
      The crash caused an estimated £32,000 lossCredit: NNP
      Graham was three times the drink-drive limitCredit: Rex More

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      in Boxing

      Watch Anthony Joshua shadow box in Co-op as he watches himself on camera… while customer patiently waits behind him

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA got an impromptu shadowboxing session in on Sunday – at his local Co-op.The former unified heavyweight champion has tapered down his training following his second successive loss to Oleksandr Usyk last month.
      Anthony Joshua did a spot of shadowboxing at his local Co-opCredit: INSTAGRAM@ANTHONYJOSHUA
      The former heavyweight champion threw several combinations in front of the cameraCredit: INSTAGRAM@ANTHONYJOSHUA
      A customer had to patiently wait to leave as AJ boxed finished up his combinationsCredit: INSTAGRAM@ANTHONYJOSHUA
      But he decided to work on his hands at the checkout tills at Garston’s Co-op in Watford.
      The Brit shared footage of himself being recorded by a checkout camera as he threw multiple combinations.
      AJ bobbed and weaved as he threw multiple uppercuts and hooks in full view of the camera.
      The camera also caught a fellow shopper looking to leave the checkout area with his bags in hand.
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      But he opted to wait for Joshua to finish the final punch of his combination before heading out of the store.
      Joshua, 32, shared the clip of himself shop shadowboxing after hitting back at Tyson Fury in an x-rated rap.
      After hearing Fury claim he was stalling on signing the contract for their Battle of Britain, AJ rapped: “I’m doing what I’m doing. Who the f**k are they fooling?
      “I see people saying, ‘Yo, I gotta sign a contract’, what the f**k you think I’m doing, man?
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      “You think I’m kicking back? I’ve been a playing, trying to get negotiations, ain’t no hesitations.
      “Been fighting champions for seven years straight. Anybody else do that? I’ll wait.”
      Joshua later confirmed he’ll put pen to paper on his lucrative deal to face The Gypsy King today.
      In another Instagram clip, he said: “I’ve been signing contracts for years. It’s not in my hands, it’s with the legal team.
      “That’s why you hire lawyers. If you know the history of boxing make sure you get your legal terms right.
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      “That’s why you got good managers and good lawyers.
      “So, of course, I’m going to sign the contract. It’s just with some lawyers at the minute.”
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      Tesco and Co-op to close EARLY on Sunday so staff can watch Euro 2020 final as hopes for August Bank Holiday grow

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      TESCO and Co-op stores across the country will be shutting up shop early on Sunday so workers can get home in time to watch England’s epic showdown against Italy as football fever grips the nation.It comes amid hopes Boris Johnson will rubber-stamp plans for an extra bank holiday – should the Three Lions claim Euro 2020 victory.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      Some shop workers are being allowed to finish early on Sunday to enjoy the gameCredit: Reuters
      Tesco Express stores will be closing at 7.45pm on SundayCredit: PA
      The PM has ruled out springing a surprise Bank Holiday on employers this Monday, but with calls mounting for an extra summer bank holiday if England win so the nation can celebrate, No10 could sign off a day in August.
      For now, however, it’s good news for some Tesco and Co-op staff who will be able to enjoy the 8pm clash at Wembley without having to keep one eye on the till as bosses have signed off plans to shut early.
      England’s 1,600 Tesco Express stores will close at 7.45pm on Sunday, instead of midnight, while Co-op will shut its 2,034 food stores at the same time, Sky reports.
      Co-op’s 24 hour petrol stations will also be out of bounds between 7.45pm and 11pm.
      Chris Whitfield, Co-op’s chief operating officer, said: “We appreciate just how much this means to many of our store colleagues and we want them to be able to celebrate at home with their family and friends.”
      Lidl stores will be opening an hour later on Monday morning if England clinch the win at Wembley – while Iceland is delaying opening stores, home deliveries and meetings either way.
      Co-op stores will also be shutting early so staff can get homeCredit: Alamy
      Some companies are letting workers clock in late on MondayCredit: Rex
      The Three Lions bagged a place in the final with a stunning victory over DenmarkCredit: Getty
      The chain will also be halting home deliveries after 7pm on Sunday to let drivers get home in time.
      It comes as England fans are set to get extra time to recover after Sunday night’s Euro final.
      Many firms are allowing staff a lie-in on Monday morning to sleep off the boozy celebrations 
      Schools are also getting in the action, with many announcing that pupils can come in late on Monday so they can enjoy the late-night match.
      In one case, teachers Rossmere Primary School in Hartlepool have told parents they can let their kids have a lie in on Monday morning.
      Parents and carers were told the Euros final will be a “learning opportunity”.
      Students will be able to show up for class by 10.30am on Monday morning.
      Meanwhile, a company boasted that it would give its staff a day off after the Euro 2020 final – before workers were emailed and told they wouldn’t be getting it.
      LookFantastic, which sells beauty, skincare, and haircare products, promised to give its employees a day off after England’s game if their social media post reached a certain number of likes.
      The company, owned by The Hut Group, said that the “fate of Team Fantastic is in your hands” as the amount of “likes” would determine what time work begins on Monday morning.
      And if the post gained 7,000 likes, the firm said that the employees would be given a whole day off after the Euro 2020 final.
      The Instagram post read: “IT’S COMING HOME. In honour of that, we’ve decided to give you the power on what time our teams start work on Monday…
      “You need to act quick though – we’ll take the count at 5pm!”
      Millions are set to watch the final on SundayCredit: Reuters
      The Three Lions will take on Italy on Sunday after seeing off Denmark on WednesdayCredit: Getty
      But in an internal email seen by The Sun Online, employees were told that the “stunt” was just a “great engagement opportunity.”
      Workers were told that the social media target and the promise of a day off after England’s final was “not official comms.”
      Despite the post on Instagram reaching over 30,000 likes – surpassing the top target – workers were told that they were “lucky to have been given the 12pm start.”
      England roared to success against Denmark on Wednesday with Gareth Southgate’s lads bagging a place in the final with a 2-1 win.
      It is the first time in 55 years – since the glorious 1966 World Cup win – England have made it to a major tournament final.
      The nail-biting final will be played at Wembley – with thousands of fans expected to flood the capital’s streets ahead of the title-race game.
      England are now favourites amid a betting spree at bookies.

      The government has already extended pub opening hours to 11.15pm on Sunday in case of extra-time and penalties.
      Mr Johnson signed off plans for extra drinking time for Sunday night’s Wembley showdown.
      Meanwhile, there are calls for Southgate to be made a Sir if he becomes the first England manager since Sir Alf Ramsey to win a trophy. More