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‘Disappointed’ Olivia Rodrigo issues statement to Manchester fans after Co-op Live postpones gigs

"I'm so bummed, and I really hope to see you all soon."

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 2nd May 2024

Olivia Rodrigo has issued a statement to her Manchester fans after her run of gigs at Co-op Live have been postponed.

The US singer-songwriter was due to perform two massive sold-out shows tomorrow and Saturday (3 and 4 May 2024) here in Manchester at the city’s newest venue, the now-troubled Co-op Live, as part of her GUTS world tour – but, due to what has been referred to as “ongoing venue-related technical issues”, these gigs are now the latest in a long line of postponements.

The huge 23,500-capacity arena confirmed yesterday evening, following the last-minute cancellation of A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie – which was due to be first music show held at the venue, following the postponements of Peter Kay and The Black Keys – that both Rodrigo’s gigs will be postponed.

New dates will be announced as soon as they’re confirmed, Co-op Live assured ticket-holders.

Co-op Live said in a statement: “Due to an ongoing venue-related technical issue, the scheduled performances of Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour on 3rd and 4th May are being postponed. Ticket holders can either hold onto their tickets or obtain a refund from their point of purchase.

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“We deeply apologise for the significant inconvenience this will cause for many.”

The Drivers License singer also took a moment to assure her presumably-disappointed attending fans that she too was “disappointed” by the situation.

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In a statement shared to her 37.2 million followers on Instagram yesterday, Olivia wrote on her Story: “Hello! I’ve been having such a great time in Europe so far and I’m soooooo disappointed that we’re unable to perform in Manchester due to ongoing venue-related technical issues.”

The 21-year-old told Manchester fans that “we’re doing our best to reschedule” the shows.

Co-op Live WILL open this week, it has assured fans. Credit: The Manc Group
Olivia Rodrigo has issued a statement to Manchester fans after Co-op Live postpones her gigs / Credit: Olivia Rodrigo (via Instagram) | The Manc Group

Her statement continued: “You can hold onto your tickets for further info or request a refund at your point of purchase. More info will be sent directly to ticketholders.

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“I’m so bummed and I really hope to see you all soon.”

As previously mentioned, the massive arena was supposed to open for the first time to the public last night with a performance by US rapper, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, but it was called off at the eleventh hour and fans were turned away from the doors just minutes before they were meant to open.

Co-op Live has now confirmed that the reason for the cancellation was due to a piece of the HVAC (air conditioning) system having “separated from the ductwork”.

Because of this, rigorous testing on the rest of the system now needs to take place before fans can safely be welcomed inside.

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The next expected show on the Co-op Live schedule is Keane on Sunday 5 May, before beloved Manchester boyband, Take That, play a massive run of shows from 7-11 May and extra dates on 11 and 12 June.

Featured Image – Publicity Picture

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Teens could be recruited as train drivers to help ‘improve’ Britain’s railways amid ongoing strikes

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Teenagers could soon be recruited as train drivers in a bid to help “improve” Britain’s railways, the Government has announced.

Amid what have been ongoing strikes for the past couple of years now, and following on from the announcement back in February that ASLEF train drivers at several train companies and operators had voted ‘overwhelmingly’ to continue taking industrial action for another six months, the Government has now proposed lowering the minimum age to become a train driver from 20 to 18.

A consultation on the somewhat-controversial move is to be launched as part of the Government’s efforts to open up more careers in the rail sector to young people.

Ultimately, transport ministers believe this could “improve the reliability of rail services” across the UK.

Teens could be recruited as train drivers to help ‘improve’ Britain’s railways amid ongoing strikes / Credit: National Rail

This surprising recruitment drive announcement comes after the Government has revealed that the train driver workforce is projected to shrink without opening up more opportunities for new recruits in the near future – especially given the fact the average age of a train driver in Britain is 48 years old, and many are set to retire within the next five years or so.

Under the new proposals set to go out to consultation, the Department for Transport (DfT) will create a new pathway for school leavers to take up apprenticeships and train to join the profession.

If agreed following the consultation, the new regulations to lower the minimum age for train drivers from 20 to 18 could be in place as early as this summer, according to the Government, which will apparently “help set thousands of young people on track to a career in transport” once they’ve bid farewell to their school days.

The Government says its proposal to lower the minimum age would “build resilience” across the railway.

The Government has launched a consultation of the lowering of the minimum train driver age / Credit: Northern

Not only is the proposal said to form part of wider Government plans to create more opportunities where young people can gain the skills they need to succeed, all while generating more jobs that lead to a “productive” and “high-skilled” economy, but transport ministers believe attracting more young train drivers would help the rail industry provide a “more reliable service” for customers when other staff are off sick or on annual leave.

By opening up the sector to young people, the Government claims this would be “a positive step” and one that directly benefits passengers.

“We want to open the door for young people considering transport as a career, and this proposal could give school-leavers a clear path into the sector,” commented Rail Minister, Huw Merriman, as the proposals were unveiled this week.

“By boosting age diversity in the sector and attracting more drivers, we can help support reliable services while creating opportunities for more young people.”

If the proposals are introduced, the Government says all prospective train drivers, regardless of their age, will continue to be held to the same stringent training requirements as before to ensure the safe use of our railways for everyone.

To become a licensed train driver in the UK, trainees must pass mandatory medical, psychological, fitness, and general professional competence examinations.

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They must also be trained by their employer on the trains and tracks they will be deployed on.

Featured Image – Northern

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Manchester welcomes ‘proud Mancunian’ Paul Andrews as city’s new Lord Mayor

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester has welcomed a new Lord Mayor this week, and he’s ready to “serve hardworking Mancunians who want to see their beloved city thrive”.

Following Councillor Yasmine Dar’s departure from the role, Councillor Paul Andrews has now taken over the reins, and was officially appointed the new Lord Mayor of Manchester during a full Manchester City Council meeting yesterday (15 May).

This makes the “proud Mancunian” the 126th person to hold the Mayor title in the city’s history.

Born in Crumpsall, and spending the majority of his life living in the Bradford area of the city before moving to Wythenshawe in 1959, Cllr Andrews successfully completed an apprenticeship in the print industry following his graduation from Poundswick Grammar School in 1970.

His working life began as a baggage handler at Manchester Airport in 1978, but it was almost two decades before he started his politics career.

Cllr Andrews was first elected to Manchester City Council in 1996, where he represented the Woodhouse Park Ward.

Manchester has welcomed ‘proud Mancunian’ Paul Andrews as the city’s new Lord Mayor / Credit: Manchester City Council

The “tireless work ethic” he demonstrated throughout his Airport career was carried over into his Councillor role, with other Manchester City Council members often noting his “outstanding” participation in committees, his serving on and completing of two terms on the Executive Committee, and his sitting on numerous governing bodies.

Most notably, he was the Council’s Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, and he also served on the Foster Panel for a decade too.

Even throughout his time as a Councillor, Paul was keen to keep to “his roots”, and chose to serve on the Manchester Airport Trust Fund and the Port Health Authority as a way of reflecting his “unflinching dedication” to “bettering Manchester”.

Celebrating carers is described as one of Cllr Andrews’ and his wife, Karen’s – who he has been married to since 1996, and has been a “steadfast supporter” in his duty to public life – “most revisited themes”, as he was known for being passionate about improving the livelihoods of vulnerable young people with help through volunteers and professional organisations.

Outside of his political life, Cllr Andrews’ favourite way to pass the time is fishing, and he also likes to take regular visits to Ireland and Scotland with his family.

“To be appointed as Lord Mayor of this city is humbling and an utmost honour,” Cllr Andrews said after being appointed as the new Lord Mayor of Manchester yesterday.

He said the honour is one he “does not take lightly”.

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“As I seek to serve hardworking Mancunians who want to see their beloved city thrive, under my tenure and through our core values of hard work, collaboration, and innovation, I aim to continue Manchester’s legacy of being a city that supports our residents to succeed,” Cllr Andrews concluded.

Featured Image – Manchester City Council

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