What smart locker solution is used at Co-op Live?

Co-op Live uses a high-capacity Vpod smart locker service designed for busy live-event environments. The solution combines secure locker hardware, digital booking, contactless payment, customer access and operational reporting within one connected service.

How do customers book a locker at Co-op Live?

Customers can discover and reserve storage through the venue's digital journey. Locker booking can be incorporated into the wider ticket-purchase experience, allowing guests to arrange secure storage before arrival or during an event.

How does the Co-op Live locker journey work?

The customer finds an available locker, completes the booking and payment process, receives a digital credential and opens the assigned compartment. The same controlled journey supports secure collection after the event.

Do customers need to download a separate locker app?

The locker experience can be incorporated into the venue's existing digital customer journey. This reduces friction and helps customers book, pay for and access storage without relying on paper tickets, physical keys or a traditional cloakroom process.

How do smart lockers improve the Co-op Live fan experience?

Smart lockers give guests a convenient way to store bags, coats and personal belongings without waiting at a continuously staffed cloakroom desk. Customers remain in control of their booking and can access their assigned compartment using digital credentials.

How do the lockers reduce cloakroom queues?

Customers can book, pay, deposit and collect their belongings through a self-service process. This reduces dependence on service counters and helps relieve pressure during busy arrival and departure periods.

How do smart lockers save staff time?

The system automates routine tasks including booking, payment, locker allocation, access and reporting. This reduces staff involvement in item acceptance, labelling, paper-ticket administration, key management, cash handling and manual reconciliation.

Do smart lockers replace venue staff?

Smart lockers reduce repetitive handling rather than removing the need for venue teams. Staff can concentrate on guest support, safety, accessibility requirements and exceptional situations instead of managing every routine storage transaction.

How do the Co-op Live lockers improve security?

Each booking connects an authorised user to a specific compartment. Digital credentials control access, while booking, opening and collection activity create an auditable record that supports stronger chain-of-custody management.

Can venue teams see which lockers are occupied?

Connected locker software can provide central visibility of occupied, available and active compartments. This helps teams manage capacity, answer customer enquiries and investigate operational issues.

What happens if belongings are reported missing?

Digital activity records can support investigations by showing the booking, access and collection history associated with the assigned compartment. This provides stronger evidence than handwritten labels, duplicate cloakroom tickets or staff memory alone.

Are smart lockers available throughout an event?

The self-service model allows the locker service to remain available throughout an event without requiring a continuously staffed desk. Availability depends on the venue's chosen operating rules and event schedule.

Can lockers be included in premium venue services?

Yes. Co-op Live demonstrates how lockers can be embedded into premium customer experiences. Secure storage can form part of hospitality, ticketing or enhanced guest-service packages.

Can smart lockers generate revenue for a venue?

Yes. Digital locker bookings can create an attributable revenue stream while also improving the customer experience. Commercial performance depends on pricing, demand, locker capacity, location, awareness and integration with the wider ticket journey.

Are smart lockers suitable for other arenas and event venues?

Yes. The model is relevant to arenas, stadiums, concert halls, theatres, visitor attractions and other high-footfall destinations that need secure, scalable self-service storage.

What should venues consider before installing smart lockers?

Venues should assess expected demand, locker location, compartment sizes, booking integration, payment methods, accessibility, security, customer communications, reporting requirements and support arrangements.

Does Vpod provide installation and support?

Vpod provides smart locker hardware, software, deployment support and ongoing service options. The precise scope can be tailored to the venue's operational, technical and commercial requirements.

How can another venue explore a similar locker solution?

Organisations can book a Vpod demonstration to discuss locker capacity, customer journeys, integrations, payment options, operational workflows and potential commercial models.

Co-op Live smart locker case study

A high-volume self-service success story

Co-op Live demonstrates how venue smart lockers can become part of a connected customer journey—supporting secure storage, reducing manual handling and creating measurable operational value.

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Co-op Live smart locker case study featuring the Manchester venue and Vpod self-service lockers for secure event visitor storage

Headline outcomes

A scalable venue service with visible customer adoption

Co-op Live’s locker operation combines a digital booking journey, secure physical storage and recorded activity. The result is a repeatable service that supports fan convenience, operational consistency and attributable commercial value without depending on a conventional staffed cloakroom.

Co-op Live smart locker headline outcomes showing strong adoption, repeatable throughput, digital customer access and scalable venue storage

Self-service efficiency

One consistent digital journey

Customers can find, book, pay for and access storage through the Co-op Live digital experience before arrival or during an event. This supports faster customer access, fewer service-counter queues and lower dependency on continuously staffed storage desks.

Co-op Live self-service locker journey showing digital discovery, booking, contactless payment, access credentials and live availability

Labour efficiency

From staffed cloakroom to automated journey

Automated booking, access and reporting reduce repetitive cloakroom tasks. Venue teams can focus more attention on guest support, safety and exception handling while the locker platform manages routine customer storage activity.

Co-op Live labour-efficiency overview showing reduced item handling, paper processes, peak pressure and manual reporting

Security efficiency

Controlled access and an auditable handover

Digital credentials connect an authorised customer to a specific compartment. Booking, access and collection events create a more controlled chain of custody and provide useful records when venue teams need to investigate a dispute or abandoned item.

Co-op Live smart locker security process showing digital booking, authorised access, activity records and controlled bag storage

The combined outcome

Three efficiencies, one scalable venue service

The customer app, physical locker infrastructure and digital audit trail work together as one operating model. Less manual handling enables faster self-service, while stronger access control supports both fan experience and operational confidence. A smart locker platform for high-volume venues provides scalable visitor storage designed to support busy event environments and large numbers of users.

Co-op Live combined smart locker outcome linking less manual handling, faster self-service and stronger access control

Best practice in action

Locker booking embedded into the wider venue journey

Co-op Live illustrates three practical adoption principles: make locker booking visible within the ticket journey, keep the path from booking to payment simple, and extend locker access into premium guest services. These choices help turn storage hardware into a connected venue experience.

Co-op Live smart locker best practices covering ticket-journey booking, simple payment and premium-service integration

Locker Performance Guide

Watch the Co-op Live best-practice video

See how Co-op Live applies practical locker-performance principles, then explore 24 additional factors covering customer adoption, access, operations, security and commercial performance.

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Watch the Co-op Live smart locker case study video covering customer experience, operations and commercial outcomes

Plan your venue locker service

Explore a secure, scalable self-service model for your venue

Discuss locker capacity, customer booking, payment, access control, reporting, installation and ongoing support with the Vpod team.

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