Why did Co-op Live take so long to open?
From safety fears to the manager resigning, here's what went wrong at Manchester's ￡365m Co-op Live arena before it finally opened.
Music fans have finally been able to experience the Co-op Live Arena as Elbow performed the venue's first live show following weeks of delays and cancellations.
Big-name music acts like Take That and Keane had been forced to cancel their concerts at the Co-op Live in Manchester after the venue was hit by multiple technical problems. But fans of British rock act Elbow were the first gig-goers to enjoy a concert at the ￡365 million venue on Tuesday night.
Take That rescheduled their planned concerts to the AO arena and made light of the problems that had affected Co-op Live on Tuesday night. Singer Gary Barlow told fans: “Thank b****y God we’re on here tonight.”
But it was a different vibe at Co-op Live as Elbow frontman Guy Garvey told the audience those who had been working on the building had been “so excited today, so nervous and so excited”, in a video shared on X. Before concluding their set, Garvey told the crowd: “You’ve house-warmed this beautiful new venue, shall we sing one last song together?”
Co-op Live was meant to open on Tuesday 23 April, but the date was pushed back multiple times amid safety problems and technical setbacks. Issues included part of its ventilation and air conditioning system falling to the ground from the ceiling during a soundcheck in early May.
Issues at the arena began after a test event in April led to the rescheduling of comedian Peter Kay’s stand-up dates. The problems also led to the venue rescheduling Olivia Rodrigo and Black Keys gigs, while a Boogie Wit Da Hoodie show was cancelled minutes before it was due to start.
The arena's general manager Gary Roden announced his resignation on 25 April amid the delays after making controversial comments about smaller venues to the press.
At the same time, the venue said it was taking “a short pause to events” before welcoming members of the public to the arena due to ongoing issues.
A statement said this was 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.
What did fans say about the Co-op Live arena?
Elbow fans were initially a “bit apprehensive” about Tuesday night’s gig. Steve Jones, 58, from Rhyl in North Wales said he was worried about everything going to plan following weeks of technical issues.
He said: “It’s been a long time in the coming, seeing all the other ones that have been cancelled, because we live 60-odd miles away and then you’re thinking ‘hope everything goes OK’.”
Nigel Thomas, 56 from Chester, had come with family members, with one relative travelling from Hong Kong to see the band. He said recent cancellations at the arena had left him feeling “scared” and “worried”.
Neville Lawson, 58 from Durham, and Jo Elliott, 53 from Middlesbrough, said: “We’ve had the tickets for a while, we didn’t think it was going to come off actually… (We have been) worried it was going to cancel, (and) it’s not going to happen.“
Nothing short of superb. Elbow at the new Co-Op Live. Flawless. #cooplive pic.twitter.com/5IDX0x37J5
— Jeffrey Peel (@JeffreyPeel) May 14, 2024
Elbow at the co-op was incredible. The band were absolutely top notch but venue lends itself to the stage so well. Hard to explain but that was incredible.
— Gaz Wrigley (@Gazwrigley) May 14, 2024
Top seats for @Elbow at the Co-op Arena.
So far it’s not been cancelled.
So far no part of the building has fallen off/down.
So far the Wi-fi works great.
So far so good.
Won’t count my chickens just yet.
The first band to play live on the stage on anger is on - W?VE ???? pic.twitter.com/U1cCnvPGyk— mufcshirts (@mufcshirts) May 14, 2024
Despite the fears, fans seemed to love the concert, with those posting on X making no mention of any technical issues.
One said: “Nothing short of superb. Elbow at the new Co-Op Live. Flawless.” Others said Elbow singer Garvey was “visibly moved and excited”.
The gig marks the end of weeks of delays, cancellations and technical problems.
How safety concerns delayed 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."
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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.
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.
Issues reached a head when a Boogie Wit Da Hoodie show was cancelled on 1 May at the last minute as hundreds of people queued outside. The US rapper, full name Artist Julius Dubose, said it was 'crazy' his show was postponed just minutes before the start, with fans 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.
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