The Mancunian Way: 'I'm truly gutted'

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The rumours started circulating this morning. Then just after lunchtime it was confirmed - Peter Kay’s showpiece double-header at Co-op Live tomorrow night and Wednesday was being postponed because the venue wasn’t going to be ready in time.

The news will come as a blow to the tens of thousands of fans who bought tickets and everyone involved with the £365m arena. But it perhaps didn’t come as a surprise to anyone who was following the chaotic scenes before the test event on Saturday headlined by Rick Astley.

Thousands of disappointed gig-goers received an email telling them their tickets had been cancelled less than two hours before the show was due to begin. Last minute problems with power at the arena saw the number of guests slashed from 11,000 to 4,000.

Fire safety and emergency services communication systems are believed to have been affected by the electricity issues, while insiders claim 'everything was run down to the wire' ahead of the test show. Meanwhile the council's building control department can’t sign the building off while work is still ongoing.

A spokesperson for Co-op Live said: "It is critical to ensure we have a consistent total power supply to our fully electric sustainable venue, the completion of which is a few days behind. Rescheduling gives us the extra time we need to continue testing thoroughly. This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size.”

Kay said: “I’m truly gutted as I know how disappointing this will be for everyone with tickets, but obviously it’s a brand-new venue and it’s important that everything is finished and safe for full capacity audiences.”

Ashlie Blakey and Jenna Campbell have more here…

Who is Howard?

It’s a question you might have found yourself asking in recent months. Manchester’s most prolific graffiti writer has been plastering the city’s walls, security shutters, bridges and windows in his distinctive tag.

And once it’s pointed out to you, you’ll start to see it almost everywhere you go. But the identity of the man or woman behind the moniker is a mystery.

And now the authorities are beginning to take notice. “It's all over north Manchester, particularly in Harpurhey," Coin Pat Karney told the Manchester Evening News. "It's nearly on every building and every wall.

"People will put up with a bit of graffiti but this is just disgustingly over the top. He needs to be caught. If anyone has got any information please let me know - I'm on his case. Normally I don't get triggered by this type of stuff but this guy has gone completely over the top." Read more

Utter madness erupted

A young girl screamed out in terror as a group of 80 masked men ran towards her. A police officer was told by a gang to 'get out of your car you f****** b****' before it was smashed up as she desperately called for back-up.

Eggs, bottles, bricks, a claw hammer - and even a pair of scissors - were thrown as officers battled to hold their massed lines. As racist taunts and vile chants filled the air, police cars and residents' homes were damaged.

It was the day Tommy Robinson came to Oldham. And five years on a total of 24 men have now been brought to justice for their roles in the ‘utter madness that erupted’. Paul Britton, who has been following the story since 2019, has more here

Ooh aah Cantona

Almost 30 years after he hung up his boots, Manchester United fans still sing Eric Cantona’s name at every match. “If I'm honest, though: I just wish he'd stop singing for us,” writes John Shammas.

John was at Cantona’s bizarre singing debut at the Stoller Hall last October and, glutton for punishment that he is, was back at The Palace on Saturday night for the great man’s return. His review of an ‘odd, novelty evening out’ is a fine read.

The hanging gardens of Broughton

To Salford now and this lovely story from Maisie Lawton. A backstreet pub is to have its beer garden revamped by a Chelsea Flower Show gold medal-winning designer.

The community-owned Star Inn in Broughton has won a Royal Horticultural Society competition to get a new garden designed by Emma Tipping. This weekend it’s been on display at the RHS Urban Show, but will now be delivered to The Star Inn.

Long -time Star Inn regular Mick Smith said: “We can’t wait to see what it’ll look like when they have been installed. My favourite quote Jane said was the garden being referred to as the ’Hanging Gardens of Broughton’.

“We were shocked to hear we'd won but I’ve had nothing but smiles since finding out.”

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Weather etc

Tuesday: Sunny intervals changing to cloudy by late morning, 13C.

Trains: There will be a replacement bus service on East Midlands Railway between Sheffield and Stockport due to engineering works from April 27 to May 1.

Manchester headlines

Crash: Two people were cut free from cars after a crash in Cheetham Hill last night. The smash happened on Sherborne Street, near the junction with Derby Street, just after 10pm. Police officers, firefighters and paramedics raced to the scene. More here

The ‘Voice of Speedway’: Tributes have poured in for the long-standing announcer of the Belle Vue Speedway - Kenneth ‘Ken’ Wrench. The venue announced that the ‘voice of the Speedway’ sadly passed away aged 91 on April 11 at Stepping Hill Hospital after a short illness. Ken had been the announcer at Belle Vue for 41 years and had also worked for the BBC. Read more

Shock closure: A much-loved Indian restaurant in south Manchester has shut suddenly. Amma's Canteen in Chorlton broke the sad news of its closure on its Instagram page yesterday. The family-run restaurant, in Barlow Moor Road, cited ‘rising product prices and inflation’ as the reasons behind the decision.

Worth a read

Nostalgia writer Lee Grimsditch has been exploring the dark past of the 'UK's Bermuda Triangle' - so-called due to the number of crashes that have taken place there. Nestled in the hills above Glossop, it’s home to the remains of the infamous Bleaklow Bomber. You can read more here