Co-Op make clear they do “do not own or run” Co-Op Live Arena, share “disappointment” at opening problems so far

Co-Op Group have issued a statement regarding the “disappointing” opening problems of the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester as well as the role it plays in the venue.

• READ MORE: “Manchester’s own Fyre Festival” – disappointed fans speak out on Co-Op Live cancellations

The Co-Op Live Arena has faced numerous concert cancellations recently, as well as a delayed opening. The venue was meant to open with comedian Peter Kay on April 23 and 24, but the gigs were postponed to the end of April, and now later this month following a test event with Rick Astley on April 22. Then, the arena was supposed to see The Black Keys perform on April 27; their shows were moved to May 15.

On May 1, the venue failed to launch again after it was forced to pull A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s show just 10 minutes after doors opened due to a “venue-related technical issue”. This was later confirmed to be a part of the air conditioning unit falling in the venue by a spokesperson for the venue; nobody was injured. Since the discovery of the malfunctioning unit, shows for Olivia Rodrigo, Keane, and Take That have all been confirmed to have been cancelled at the Co-Op Live.

Now, a Co-op Group spokesperson has clarified the name sponsor’s role in the venue and addressed the opening issues: “As naming rights sponsor for Co-Op Live we are disappointed with these further schedule changes. We fully appreciate and understand the impact and upset the delays have caused to ticket holders and our Co-Op members.”

The spokesperson continued: “Co-Op is a sponsor and does not own or run the venue, and we have made it clear to Oak View Group, who are responsible for the building, that the impact on ticketholders must be addressed as a priority. We are pleased that they will shortly be putting plans in place to do so.”

“We also understand that the necessary safety checks following yesterday’s incident are being completed and independently verified so that Co-Op members and other ticket holders can be reassured that the venue has the very highest levels of security and safety measures,” Co-Op Group’s spokesperson concluded.

Co-Op Group’s statement comes after Co-Op Live announced a new opening date of May 14, and formally address the recent concert cancellations, with Oak View Group (which manages the venue) CEO Tim Leiweke noting: “As many of you will know, it’s not been the smooth start we had planned for, and I know that has caused a huge amount of disruption and frustration to thousands of people.”

The delayed launch of the venue comes after Co-Op Live and the existing, 21-000 capacity AO Arena in the city came to blows in a licensing row. ASM Global, which operates the latter venue, objected over “public safety” concerns and accused the application for a licence as being “simply unlawful”. Despite the row, the venue officially had its licence granted last month.

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