Workers at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena have been speaking out about the chaos they have experienced behind the scenes at the newly opened venue. The £365 million arena was scheduled to open its doors earlier this week but has faced numerous setbacks, resulting in cancellations from several high-profile acts. Reports of loose cables, exposed electrics, and unfinished VIP rooms have highlighted the challenges faced by construction staff working on the project. The chaos has led to tears from employees and worries about the safety of fans entering the venue.
Despite being heralded as a “world-class” arena that would rival London’s O2 arena, Co-op Live has been plagued by delays and construction issues. The chaos behind the scenes has caused concerns for the safety and readiness of the venue for events. Acts such as Peter Kay, Take That, and Olivia Rodrigo have been forced to cancel shows due to the unfinished state of the arena. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie was set to be the opening act but had to cancel their performance last minute, leaving fans disappointed.
Contractors working on the project have described the venue as a work in progress, with wires hanging down, gaps in the stairs, and VIP rooms filled with cardboard boxes. The issues have been attributed to the building itself rather than the organization overseeing its completion. Employees have expressed frustration and disappointment at the situation, with some fearing that the venue would not be ready for thousands of fans to attend events. Despite efforts to address the problems, the delays have resulted in cancellations and a pause in events at the venue.
Oak View Group, the company responsible for the arena, has issued an apology for the delays and cancellations, acknowledging the impact on ticket holders. The Co-op, who sponsored the construction of the venue but is not involved in its operation, has stated that the impact on fans must be addressed as a priority. The decision to take a “short pause” in events at the venue was made to ensure the safety and security of fans and artists. Acts such as Olivia Rodrigo, Keane, and Take That have had shows postponed or canceled due to the issues at the venue.
The situation at Co-op Live Arena has caused frustration and anger among ticket holders, who have been left disappointed by the cancellations. Despite efforts to address the problems and ensure the safety of the venue, the delays have impacted the opening season and led to uncertainty about future events. The chaos behind the scenes has highlighted the challenges faced by construction staff and the need for thorough inspection and preparation before hosting events at the venue. The fallout from the issues at Co-op Live Arena will continue to be felt by fans, artists, and employees involved in the project.
