What's happened
The Co-op Live arena in Manchester, set to be the UK's largest indoor venue, has faced multiple delays and cancellations. Initially scheduled to open on April 23 with comedian Peter Kay, the venue has postponed several events due to technical issues, including shows by A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Olivia Rodrigo. General Manager Gary Roden resigned amid the chaos. The arena is now set to open on May 14 with a performance by Elbow.
Why it matters
The repeated delays and cancellations at the Co-op Live arena are significant as they impact thousands of fans and the reputation of what is set to be the UK's largest indoor venue. The issues highlight the challenges of launching large-scale projects and the importance of rigorous safety and technical checks. The delays have also affected the schedules of high-profile artists, causing frustration among fans and financial implications for the venue and performers.
What the papers say
According to The Independent, the Co-op Live arena has faced multiple delays due to technical issues, including a falling HVAC component. Sky News reported that the venue's opening was postponed due to power testing delays, affecting shows by Peter Kay and Olivia Rodrigo. BBC News highlighted the frustration of fans and the resignation of General Manager Gary Roden amid the chaos. The Guardian noted that Roden's resignation followed criticism of his comments about small music venues.
How we got here
Plans for the Co-op Live arena were unveiled in 2020, with a projected cost of £350m, making it the most expensive indoor venue in Europe. The arena, located next to the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, is designed to host music, sports, and entertainment events. It aims to attract major events like the Brit Awards and MTV Europe Music Awards. However, the venue has faced significant challenges, including technical issues and management changes, leading to multiple delays in its opening.
Common question
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Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. It has a population of 547,627 as of 2018. It lies within the United Kingdom's second-most populous urban area, with a population of 2.5 million and third-most populous metropol
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Co-op Live is an indoor arena in Manchester, England. Due to open on 23 April 2024, it is planned to have the largest maximum capacity of any indoor arena in the United Kingdom; greater than the existing Manchester Arena, which is under 2 miles away.
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Peter John Kay is an English actor, comedian and singer. He has written, produced, and acted in several television and film projects, and authored three books.
Born and brought up in Bolton, Kay studied media performance at the University of Salford.
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Olivia Isabel Rodrigo is an American actress and singer. She is known for her roles as Paige Olvera on the Disney Channel series Bizaardvark and Nini Salazar-Roberts on the Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.