Co-op Live has suddenly cancelled its opening night gig, asking all fans to leave the area.
The huge Manchester venue was finally ready to open the doors for the first official gig – A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie – tonight.
But mere minutes before the action was due to begin, the venue has announced it’s no longer going ahead.
The Co-op Live had already been hit with several high-profile delays, including postponing Peter Kay’s opening gigs (twice) and pushing back The Black Keys.
In a statement issued this evening, they’ve now confirmed that A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie has also been cancelled.
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The news came after the venue was meant to have opened its doors.
Co-op Live wrote: “Due to a venue-related technical issue, tonight’s A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie show will no longer go ahead.
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“We kindly ask fans to leave the area.
“Ticket holders will receive further information in due course.
“We deeply apologise for the significant inconvenience this will cause for many.”
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Fans have understandably left gutted by the last-minute cancellation, and worried for their tickets for Olivia Rodrigo later this week.
One person wrote: “I’m getting whiplash, are you safe to open or not?? I have Olivia Rodrigo this weekend and I did not fight the Ticketmaster war for this.”
Another said: “My kids were going… cancelled it 10 mins after the doors were due to open.”
Someone else wrote: “My son’s two mates just got told as they arrived! How can they let it get so late in the day before cancelling? Crazy?”
One person commented on The Manc’s Instagram post: “At this point they need to shut the venue until its finished and then reopen it when it’s done. I was there for a residence opening before Peter kay and wires everywhere and loos that isn’t flush. They need probably atleast another month of work.
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“Also we are missing 32 restaurants and bars that are not even close to being started on yet.whole reason they’re opening is because of contract stipulations and people need invoicing and the company running this does not want to loose more money. Bare in mind this has nearly cost 400 million so far and overdue on the build schdual anyway….”
One follower said: “Literally stood in the queue for 30 mins while they was letting people in and then decided to cancel it ! If there was a chance of it being cancelled why do it after the doors had opened.”
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Daisy Jackson -
1st May 2024 
