'Just unforgivable': outrage after more shows axed at new Manchester venue

Take That announced last night that they were moving shows scheduled for the Co-op Live to a rival venue as the troubled Manchester arena said it would be taking a "short pause".

- Josh Halliday

Co-op Live, which had postponed a number of shows because of technical issues, said it was taking a break until 14 May to "ensure the safety and security of fans and artists visiting the venue". Take That said they would be moving their five dates next week to the rival AO Arena.

Angry music fans have demanded compensation from Co-op Live arena after it cancelled its opening concert for the third time, leaving thousands of young people stranded in Manchester. The venue announced minutes after the doors opened on Wednesday that the US star A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie would no longer be performing because of a "technical issue". He said yesterday that he would move to the AO Arena, in the latest humiliation for Co-op Live.

A spokesperson for the £365m venue said part of an air conditioning unit had fallen from a gantry during the rapper's soundcheck. No one was hurt but it meant organisers also had to pull the plug on Olivia Rodrigo's two sell-out shows this weekend.

Bosses of what will be the UK's biggest indoor arena have blamed Brexit, Covid and even the Manchester weather for a series of missteps that also led to the cancellation of shows by Peter Kay, the Black Keys and a test event by Rick Astley.

Jo Lunn, 51, said her 16-year-old daughter had travelled more than 200 miles from Hampshire to see A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie with her 18-year-old sister on Wednesday.