'The biggest bugaboo has been the request on a special radio system that is for the police only'

M.E.N. EXCLUSIVE: COOP LIVE BOSS ON A TURBULENT WEEK THAT HAS SEEN PETER KAY OPENING CONCERTS PUSHED BACK TWICE

- JOSEPH TIMAN

THE man behind Co-op Live has revealed exactly why the opening of Manchester's new arena has been delayed again.

In an exclusive interview with the Manchester Evening News, Tim Leiweke explained why the £365m venue has pushed back Peter Kay's two performances for a second time and rescheduled The Black Keys' show originally set for tonight.

The Bolton comedian's official opening show was supposed to take place on Tuesday, April 23.

But with just one day to go, it postponed to a week later. Now, the two Peter Kay gigs are set to take place on Thursday, May 23 and Friday, May 24, while the performance by The Black Keys has been moved to May 15.

Mr Leiweke, who is the managing director at the American Oak View Group, told the M.E.N. he is confident the 23,500 capacity arena will be ready for Olivia Rodrigo's two nights starting on Friday, May 3.

That will follow a performance by Boogie Wit Da Hoodie planned for Wednesday, May 1, at which the upper tiers will be closed.

The Co-op Live boss blamed Brexit, Covid and a record amount of rainfall for the delays to the construction of, what he describes as, 'the best arena outside of North America'

He admitted the company knew the deadline for the original opening show by Peter Kay scheduled for Tuesday would be 'tight' as some testing still had to be completed.

Mr Leiweke said bosses at the new venue discovered there was still 'a lot of work to do' following a test event on Saturday, April 20, which saw Rick Astley take to the stage.

Hours before the event, ticket holders were told the capacity had been cut from around 11,000 to 4,000, with some offered tickets to see The Black Keys instead.

It came after concerns were raised by police and the fire service when tests took place.

The M.E.N. understands Greater Manchester Police was not satisfied with the strength and reach of the radio system inside the venue.