DRINK prices at the controversial Co-op Live arena have been branded “ludicrous” as one punter was allegedly charged £36 for a round of three drinks.
The unnamed concertgoer couldn’t believe their eyes after ordering one pint and two small cocktail cans but being forced to cough up nearly £40 for the three.
The incident is just the latest in a host of problems that the Uk’s newly opened largest indoor arena has faced in recent months.
The Manchester venue was finally opened on 14 May following delays and some big-time gigs being postponed or hosted elsewhere.
Bosses blamed the heating, conditioning and ventilation system for the delays after a part of the system fell from the roof – resulting in inspections of all similar parts.
Now with the arena finally open – at least in a minor capacity – the problems seem to keep coming, with the allegedly extortionate drinks prices likely risking scaring off customers.
The attendee shared a snap of the drinks they were handed, consisting of one pint of golden lager in a plastic cup and two small, pink cocktail cans.
At an alleged total of £36 though, the three drinks work out at a whopping £12 each – more than double the average cost of a pint in the UK.
The punter shared the snap to social media yesterday with the caption: “This is what you get for £36 at Co-Op Live in Manchester.”
The post has since received over 280 likes and more than 130 comments from social media users stunned by the extortionate pricing.
One user said: “Next time go in with vodka stored in your cheeks like a hamster.”
Another joked: “Is that the increased price to guarantee that the air conditioning doesn’t fall on you?”
A third commented: “I’ve genuinely not read or heard one positive thing about this new arena.”
Another replied: “What brand of beer is that? I’d hope it is something decent and not Carling or Fosters for that price.”