Pensioner's anger over £25 Blue Badge charge at top venue

CO-OP LIVE SAYS COMPLIMENTARY ACCESSIBLE PARKING HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN OFFERED AS GESTURE OF GOODWILL

- By CHARLOTTE FISHER

A DISABLED man has slammed Coop Live as 'unfair' for introducing a £25 Blue Badge parking charge after it had been completely free for him to park there for just over a year.

David Jackson, who has been using a wheelchair for the past seven years after a stroke affected his right arm and leg movement 22 years ago, has been going to the arena since it opened last May.

The 77-year-old says the free blue badge parking system initially introduced by the arena was 'wonderful' as it meant he could get there and back safely without having to rely on public transport late into the night.

But in July 2025, new parking charges were introduced after the complimentary accessible parking offered during the venue's opening season came to an end. A disabled parking space now costs £25 - the same as standard parking.

It means David now has to fork out and says it doesn't seem fair that blue badge holders can use the same car park for free for a City game but now have to pay if they are going to the music venue.