Co-op Live

Audience Systems is proud to have supplied seats and retractable platforms for what is now the UK's largest arena, Co-op Live.

Like every part of this arena, the seating was a massive operation. Audience Systems took on an extra team of people to build the 20,782 chairs. 48 retractable units and fixed structures were each built here in our factory in Westbury, Wiltshire and transported to the arena by lorry. This helped the client to keep the arena floor freer for other trades. 

All the retractable units are mobile. They can be quickly and easily closed using power trucks and completely removed from the arena bowl on forklifts. Speed is of the essence; one night the arena might have an all-seated "in the round" set up for wrestling, the next it may be in an "end-stage" formation with the floor completely cleared for standing fans. Changes can take place over night and at a breathtaking pace. 

Espace seats are used throughout the venue, including on the retractable platforms. On the venue floor, the Matrix system is used, making these seats quick and easy to stack and remove on very special stacking stillages.

We filmed our manufacturing teams in action as we made seats for this very special project. You can see the film below. 

Photo of Elbow by Sophie Traynor

Exterior Photo by Nick Flynn