Manchester business bosses speak out on Co-op Live chaos and fallout

Manchester business leaders have said that 'prestige and hype created around Co-op Live being the largest indoor venue in the UK has no doubt added pressure on the venue owners to get things rolling'.

The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce has weighed in on the chaos swirling around the Co-op Live arena. The venue has been branded an 'embarrassment' by some ticketholders after its first official gig was called off less than an hour before the show's supposed start time, following a nozzle from an air conditioning unit falling from the ceiling within the arena’s bowl during the musician's soundcheck.

Two hours after the announcement on Wednesday evening, the venue confirmed Friday and Saturday’s gigs with pop star Olivia Rodrigo would also be cancelled, sending fans into meltdown online. A series of cancellation announcements followed yesterday, including Take That's epic run of shows next week being relocated to the rival AO arena.

READ MORE: How Co-op Live's big aspirations led venue to be hailed 'total embarrassment' for Manchester

This morning, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce told the Manchester Evening News that not only have fans been left 'disappointed and out of pocket' by the cancellations and delays, but the delays are a 'lost opportunity' for the city.

Subrahmaniam Krishnan-Harihara, deputy director of research at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: "This is certainly not the start that any venue would have wanted and the prestige and hype created around Co-op Live being the largest indoor venue in the UK has no doubt added pressure on the venue owners to get things rolling.

"The venue is clearly not yet ready - the apology noted from Oak View Group's CEO admits as much.

"For fans, especially those who have travelled great distances, to attend big name gigs have incurred expenses and been left disappointed and out of pocket. There is also lost opportunity - when people visit Manchester, there is a good chance they would visit the city centre for drinks or a meal.

"And the cancellations mean restaurants and bars have lost patronage and revenues. There is an economic fallout from the problems the venue is facing."

The M.E.N. has reported how the opening Peter Kay shows were rescheduled to April 29 and 30, after the venue admitted that more work was needed to ensure the venue was safe and complete for visitors. Whilst many fans accepted that having a safe venue was a no-brainer, some ticket holders expressed their frustration at how they had been informed - and how little notice had been given.

A few days later, a show for American rockers The Black Keys, originally set for April 27, was postponed to May 17 and Peter Kay’s gigs were shifted once again to new dates on May 23 and 24 - exactly a month after they had originally been scheduled for.

What was then going to be an opening show from rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, suddenly cancelled on Wednesday, has now been rescheduled to take place at the rival AO Arena this weekend instead. Keane's show, set for this Sunday, has been cancelled.

It means a total of six acts have now swapped venues, three remain rescheduled, one postponed and one cancelled altogether. As things stand, Bury band Elbow will be the opening act on May 14.

In September 2020, developers Oak View Group (OVG) and the Co-operative announced they would be joining forces on 'the UK's biggest and most exciting new arena in Manchester'. But over a week after it was first set to open, the venue remains closed while ticketholders regard it as an 'absolute shambles'.

A statement from Co-op Live on Thursday (May 2) said: "Following the events that led to the cancelled A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie show on 1 May, we have decided to take a short pause to events at Co-op Live to fully ensure the safety and security of fans and artists visiting the venue. This time will allow for an independent inspection of all elements of the arena ceiling.

"We are aware our actions have frustrated and angered ticket holders. We know you’ve incurred significant disruption, and are finding a way to help make it right.

"We are taking the pause to think about the best ways to do that. Our naming rights partner, the Co-op Group, has also expressed the importance of ensuring that the significant impact on ticketholders is recognised and addressed, with more detail to follow soon."

But the Chamber of Commerce has added that once the arena does open fully, it should bring in multi-million pound revenues. The commerce leaders are urging people not to let the shaky start 'cloud the fact that Manchester is open for business'.

"We should, however, not forget some key facts. This is a £365 million investment in Manchester and is expected to generate £35-£40 million in additional GVA per annum," continued Subrahmaniam Krishnan-Harihara.

"The venue's success is Manchester's success and we should not let these difficulties cloud the fact that Manchester is open for business and investment."

Follow the all the updates and reaction to the venue's delays live here.