Co-op Live cancels opening night gig – after fans have already arrived at the arena

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.

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.

“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.”

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.

“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.