GMP and fire service silent over Co-op Live delays

The 23,500-capacity venue was due to officially open tonight (Tuesday, April 23) with a homecoming show from the Bolton comedian. He was set to perform again on Wednesday, but both shows were cancelled and rescheduled - to next week - as work at the site is not yet complete.

It came after a test event at the £365m arena on Saturday evening featuring performances from Rick Astley and Everything Everything. Co-op Live bosses reduced capacity just hours before the show, leading to frustration from fans who had already started making their way to the Eastlands venue.

READ MORE: Co-op Live was days from opening, then it all went wrong

The council's building control is yet to sign the building off. Co-op Live bosses have confirmed the Peter Kay shows will be rescheduled for next Monday (April 29) and Tuesday (April 30).

Problems with power at the site are believed to have affected fire safety and emergency services communication systems. Insiders claimed 'everything was run down to the wire' ahead of the test show starring Rick Astley.

Co-op Live bosses say the venue will host The Black Keys on April 27 in the lower bowl - with 10,000 fans - as planned, and that they 'will continue to test the resilience of the venue and its operations'.

The Manchester Evening News has been told morale among workers at the venue 'is at an all time low', with some having allegedly walked off site as they 'can't deal with the pressure'.

It is understood various offers of overtime have been made to catch up. But on the ground, warnings were been made for weeks, if not months, that the venue would not be ready in time.

The M.E.N. understands both Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Greater Manchester Police expressed concern about the state of the building. It is understood their issues related to the ability of emergency services to communicate with one another in a crisis at the venue, as well as fire safety.

Issues around the venue's safety were discussed at a fire board meeting on Monday (April 22), the M.E.N. has learned. One fire service source said: "The decision to close was to do with the ability to 'manage' a capacity crowd.

"[It is] not clear if the systems are not in place, or if it is to do with the unfinished state of it. We viewed it a week ago and it looked like there was six months' work to do."

Amid sensitivities in Manchester surrounding the safety of large venues following the bomb attack on Manchester Arena in 2017 - in which 22 people were murdered and hundreds injured - police and fire chiefs have maintained silence over the nature of the concerns raised about Co-op Live. The M.E.N. has asked both GMP and GMFRS for comment.

It is understood both organisations have agreed to not comment and allow Co-op Live alone to issue press statements. GMP has been working for many months with the owners of the venue, committing substantial resources to assessing risk and response in the light of an emergency evacuation.

No details of concerns have been revealed by either public body, despite a top boss at venue partner Oak View Group (OVG) saying on Tuesday: "[There is] hourly contact with police, fire department and city [council] on what we've got to do to make sure this building's right."

Asked what fire bosses were concerned about, a spokesperson for GMFRS, said: "We support Co-op Live in taking this difficult decision and will continue to work closely with the venue, Manchester City Council, and emergency service partners as preparations are made for the first public events.

"The decision to reschedule the public events this week was taken by Co-op Live. GMFRS supports this decision. The venue's license and terms of operating are agreed by Manchester City Council as the licensing authority. GMFRS is one of a number of public emergency services which has been working with the venue and the council to inform this process and will continue to do so."

GMP did not issue any response when asked by the M.E.N.

A Co-op Live spokesperson said: "As we said in our statement earlier, the ambition and scale of this venue is enormous, including across our innovative technical infrastructure. It is critical to ensure we have a consistent total power supply to our fully electric sustainable venue, the completion of which is a few days behind.

"Rescheduling gives us the extra time we need to continue testing thoroughly. Today's decision was deeply regrettable, but is just one change to a busy upcoming opening season which includes Olivia Rodrigo, The Eagles, Liam Gallagher and Peter Kay as our grand opening act.

"We are continuing to work very closely with multiple stakeholders and responsible authorities to deliver against the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols necessary for opening a venue of this size. We were pleased to confirm earlier today that we will still be hosting The Black Keys on April 27 in the lower bowl with 10,000 fans as planned and will continue to test the resilience of the venue and its operations."

Earlier on Tuesday, the boss of Co-op Live's venture partner OVG addressed the delays. Appearing on BBC North West Tonight, managing director Tim Leiweke was asked whether it was a source of embarrassment that the venue wasn't going to open on time.

"No," he said. "I think it's a source of commitment to safety and expectations and trying to make sure that when people come in the building we do it right. We have work to do this week, we're not embarrassed by moving Peter Kay.

"Peter Kay and us both agreed - 'let's be safe, let's make sure it's a great experience. "[There is] hourly contact with police, fire department and city [council] on what we've got to do to make sure this building's right - and that's what we're going to do."

On Monday, a Manchester City Council spokesman said: "We respect the decision by Co-op Live to rearrange their first public events at the new arena. Although no doubt disappointing for both the venue and those who were attending the first shows this week, it is the right decision if they feel the venue is not ready to welcome visitors and their systems aren't fully tested.

"The council will continue to work closely with the venue as they push to complete the arena and prepare to host their first official shows."