Tonight, Co-op Live’s halls, corridors, and bars should have been buzzing with concert-goers. Trams should have been packed with fans of Peter Kay making their way to the Etihad campus, and laughter should have echoed through the state-of-the-art arena. Unfortunately, the venue remains largely empty, its silence broken only by the hum of ongoing construction.
In hindsight, the writing was on the wall. Rumors circulated that a test gig featuring Rick Astley would have to be drastically downsized due to concerns about the building’s safety and capacity. Emergency services and the council had not yet signed off on the venue, leading to the cancellation of thousands of tickets at the eleventh hour. As a journalist covering the test event, I witnessed firsthand the unfinished state of the venue. Many of the promised amenities, including restaurants, bars, and VIP areas, were incomplete or off-limits. The dimly lit spaces and exposed wiring created a sense of unease.
Over the past year, Manchester has been a hub of cultural activity, hosting major events such as the launch of Aviva Studios, the Michelin Guide ceremony, and the relocation of English National Opera. Co-op Live was supposed to be the cherry on top, but its delayed opening has become an embarrassment for the city. It’s not that teething problems are unexpected in a project of this scale, but the lack of communication surrounding the issues is what has caused the most damage.
How did it come to this? Why were gigs as eagerly anticipated as Peter Kay’s postponed at the last minute? Why did it take the intervention of the council and emergency services to identify issues that should have been apparent much earlier? Manchester hosts thousands of people for world-class events every week, and safety is paramount. It’s better to be meticulous and ensure that every detail is perfect than to compromise the well-being of attendees.
However, the last-minute nature of the updates has caused significant inconvenience and disappointment. Fans have had birthdays ruined, wasted hundreds of pounds on travel expenses, and been left ‘gutted’ by the postponements. The construction crews and staff who have worked tirelessly to prepare the venue must also be frustrated by this setback.
Despite these setbacks, there is still much excitement surrounding Co-op Live. In the coming weeks, Take That, Eagles, and Liam Gallagher are scheduled to perform, and the MTV Music Awards will be held in November. The venue has the potential to become a major attraction, and there are thousands of people working behind the scenes to ensure that it opens safely and successfully.
As I stood in the arena during the test event, I felt a genuine sense of anticipation for its future prospects. Manchester is willing to wait for a landmark venue like this, with its promise of cultural and economic benefits. However, we must ensure that the opening goes smoothly and that fans are not turned away at the last minute again.
