Yahoo News What we know about the Co-op Live's delayed opening problems
From safety concerns to the manager resigning after attacking small grassroots venues, here's what's gone wrong at Manchester's £365m Co-op Live arena.
Take That and Keane are the latest big-name acts to have concerts affected by technical problems at the Co-op Live in Manchester that have seen its opening postponed.
Concert goers were left "really frustrated" after more events were cancelled or moved to different venues at the last minute.
The £365m venue, which is meant to be the biggest indoor arena in the UK, was meant to open on Tuesday 23 April, but the date has been pushed back multiple times amid safety problems and technical setbacks.
Comedian Peter Kay, indie rockers the Black Keys and pop star Olivia Rodrigo are already among acts to have dates rescheduled at the arena due to it still not being “ready”.
Now, Take That have announced they are moving their shows in May from Co-op Live to AO Arena in Manchester, with the same move made for a Boogie Wit Da Hoodie show that was cancelled minutes before it was due to start after part of an air conditioning unit fell from the gantry.
The arena's general manager Gary Roden announced his resignation on 25 April over the delays while the venue has said it will be taking “a short pause to events” before welcoming members of the public to the arena from 14 May.
A statement said this is to “fully ensure the safety and security of fans and artists” and allow for an “independent inspection of all elements of the arena ceiling” following an issue with the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Here, Yahoo News explains what we know about the venue's issues so far.
Safety concerns delay Co-op arena opening
In an interview with the Manchester Evening News on 28 April, Tim Leiweke, the chairman and chief executive of developer Oak View Group (OVG), laid out a number of safety issues holding back the arena's opening.
"The biggest bugaboo has been the request [for] a special radio system that is for the police only on their system," he said, adding that the system was being installed ahead of policy testing it out. Now, that was a bit of a curveball for us. That wasn't something that people were telling us three years ago, or two years ago, or a year ago.
"We get why the police want it. We're the only arena in the UK that will have this exclusive secure line just for the police department. But it takes a couple of extra days."
Meanwhile Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service also asked for "another couple of extra days", Leiweke said, to complete health and safety checks, including for the emergency opening of all doors around the venue, which relies on the airflow system.
In a joint statement, Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, and North West Ambulance Service also said some "remaining internal security systems" also required some extra work, but said work was "progressing quickly" in all areas.
First live show cancelled after 'piece of air conditioning from unit' fell from gantry
The latest Co-op Live scheduled gig was cancelled minutes before it was due to start on Wednesday, 1 May after part of an air conditioning unit fell from the gantry inside the venue.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie's show at the troubled arena was cancelled at the last minute as hundreds of people queued outside. The US rapper, full name Artist Julius Dubose, has since posted that it was 'crazy' his show was postponed just minutes before the start, with fans already at the venue having spent considerable amounts on tickets and accommodation.
Ticket holders were told to 'leave the arena' after bosses announced the concert would not be going ahead due to a 'technical issue'. The decision came just 10 minutes before the opening support act was due on stage.
A spokesperson for the venue confirmed to the M.E.N. that the decision to cancel the concert was made after an item - believed to be part of an air conditioning unit - fell from a gantry inside the arena during soundcheck. Nobody was hurt.
Rick Astley fans let down at test event
Concerns were raised by emergency services during a test event on 20 April by 80s pop legend Rick Astley, which saw 4,000 of 11,000 tickets cancelled hours before the show. In a statement to the Guardian, a Co-op Live spokesperson said: “As a part of the opening process, we are in the midst of an extensive protocol of testing critical procedures.
“To enable us to test the spaces effectively, we have made the difficult decision to reduce overall capacity for today’s test event. We apologise to affected guests.” Those who were lucky enough to get into the venue complained of long queues for food, crowd control concerns and some seating areas not being ready.
Watch: Olivia Rodrigo has been left "so disappointed" after her two Manchester shows have been postponed (Bang Showbiz)
Brexit, Covid and rain also to blame, developer says
American Leiweke also said that finding skilled labour is "a lot harder" in the UK after Brexit, compared to his time working on London's 02 Arena. He also said the Covid-19 and a record amount of rainfall is also to blame for a delay in construction of the venue.
In another interview with the Manchester Evening News on Saturday, Leiweke said that despite resigning as the arena's manager over the delays, Roden is not to blame. "I'm the boss," he said, "Yell at me".
Leiweke apologised to ticketholders for delays, but said he didn't think people would hold a grudge over it in years to come. He said: "I know for the next 30 years, no one will remember the first seven days. I promise you. We didn't miss a show. We got it all rescheduled thanks to the artists. We'll be fine."
In a statement, Co-op Live said there is “reassurance” for fans that dates for US rapper A Boogie Wit da Hoodie on 1 May, and US singer Olivia Rodrigo’s performances on 3 and 4 May 3 would be going ahead.
Click below to see the latest North West headlines
Arena manager makes dig at smaller venues before quitting
Co-op Live confirmed that Roden had resigned shortly after comments made to the BBC in which he said smaller grassroots music venues were often "poorly run". The Music Venue Trust said the suggestion was “disrespectful and disingenuous".
The charity told NME: “Obviously, the irony of making ill-judged, unnecessary and misleading comments about grassroots music venues on the day that the launch of their new arena has unfortunately fallen into such difficulties is not lost on anyone in the music industry, on artists, or on audiences.”
Jessica Koravos, president of OVG International, said Roden's claim was not a “sentiment” shared by the stadium. Rebecca Kane Burton, ex-boss of London’s O2 Arena, has been announced interim general manager.
What options to fans with tickets have?
“Tickets will be transferred, or refunds given if the new dates aren’t suitable. It’s very disappointing but your safety is important, and I won’t compromise that," Peter Kay said in his statement.
This means fans who can make it to the new dates will be able to use their old tickets to get in. Those who aren't able to attend any new dates are entitled to a refund. Co-op Live says: "On the occasion that an event can no longer go ahead as planned, you will be informed by your point of purchase. Information on new event dates, and how to receive your refund, will be provided, if applicable from your point of purchase."
The venue added that anyone who paid for parking on the date of a cancelled show will automatically have their space reserved for the re-scheduled date. Those who can't make it are asked to fill in a form here.
But the latest decisions to move some gigs to other venues have added to frustrations, with some concert-goers frustrated at the impact of the changes to plans.
Simon Waite, 51, told the PA news agency he was “really frustrated” that Sunday's Keane concert would not be going ahead as his carer had booked time off work and he had paid for a hotel and a kennel for his dog.
He said: “As I am disabled person, I go up with my friend who is my carer, so when we go somewhere we have to plan it so that she is not working or can get the day off as a holiday, so she’s losing out.
“I’m just very angry, frustrated and let down by the whole Co-op Live experience. I’ll never forget the start of this venue, it’s been tainted in my eyes already.”
Maureen Mills, 68, from Southport, was due to see Take That perform next Tuesday at Co-op Live. She said: “They should never have tried to open it so soon, because obviously there are big things that need to be sorted out there.”
Co-op Live chaos: Read more from our partners
The view from Co-op Live as race to catch up continues following a week of drama (Manchester Evening News)
Take That move shows from Manchester's Co-op Live venue over 'ongoing technical issues' (Sky News)
18 Hilarious British Tweets That Sum Up The Chaos Of The Manchester Co-Op Live Arena Saga (HuffPost)
Concert goers ‘really frustrated’ as Co-op Live events cancelled and moved (PA Media)
All the Co-op Live arena gigs which have been scheduled to take place in May (Manchester Evening News
Peter Kay fumes as live shows postponed for a second time as arena boss quits (Daily Record)
