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Travel warnings issued as Manchester’s busy bank holiday peppered with strike action

But of course it is....

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 22nd August 2023

This weekend will be one of the busiest of the year for Greater Manchester, with huge events taking place right across the region – and strikes happening right across the public transport network.

Tens of thousands will flock to the city for Manchester Pride Festival (with its iconic parade), for Noel Gallagher‘s High Flying Birds’ gig at Wythenshawe Park, and for Manchester United‘s game against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.

Saturday is expected to be the busiest day of the already very busy August bank holiday weekend, with TfGM warning of particular time frames where you can expect parts of town to become crowded.

They have said that they anticipate the busiest times on the transport network to be between 12pm and 2.30pm on Saturday, around the St Peter’s Square, Deansgate and Old Trafford areas and again between 5pm and 7pm.

Amidst all the celebrations and events around town will be industrial action on buses and trains, putting extra pressure on tram services.

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There’ll be very limited services on trains due to planned RMT strike action, and only a few First Manchester buses will run across the whole weekend. Stagecoach has called off its industrial action over the bank holiday.

People are being warned to avoid driving into the city centre because of congestion due to road closures and bus diversions.

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Noel Gallagher
Noel Gallagher. Credit: Publicity picture, Matt Crockett
Manchester Pride Festival
Manchester Pride Festival. Credit: Supplied
Major events happening this weekend as Manchester travel advice is issued

The Metrolink tram network will be best way to get around Manchester this weekend, with services on the Airport line to be ‘significantly boosted’ for the Noel Gallagher concert.

TfGM also stressed that ‘steps have been taken to ensure there is still adequate capacity and a stable, resilient service for those going to enjoy the Pride Parade or watch Manchester United – as well as for the overall network’.

Sean Dyball, TfGM head of customer experience, said: “It’s shaping up to be a fantastic bank holiday weekend in Greater Manchester and we want everyone to enjoy it to the full – whatever they’re doing.

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“That’s why we’re urging people to plan ahead for their journeys and allow plenty of time to get to their destination, whether that’s the city centre, Wythenshawe Park, Old Trafford or somewhere else.

“While it’s good news that Stagecoach has called off its industrial action, it’s still really important people follow our advice to avoid disruption and congestion and make the most of their long weekend.

To help everyone’s weekend go as smoothly as possible, Transport for Greater Manchester, promoters, local authorities, and the emergency services have all been involved in the planning and delivery of the transport operation for the events.

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Featured image: Manchester Pride

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Manchester’s AO Arena scoop up Take That as Keane’s Co-op Live gig is cancelled in ongoing venue saga

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Take That gigs moved to AO Arena as Keane's Co-op Live are cancelled

Manchester’s existing arena, the AO Arena, has stepped in to host more concerts that have been postponed by Co-op Live, with yet another act being cancelled too.

First it was A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, announced earlier today and now, in perhaps the most damning twist of fate for the brand-new venue, Take That’s five-night run that was set for the Co-op Live this May has now been moved to the AO Arena.

Their two June dates at the new arena are said to be unaffected.

The Co-op Live‘s official opening has been hit with several delays, with events like Peter Kay’s double bill, Olivia Rodrigo and The Black Keys all already postponed over the last week or so.

Issuing a statement after rescuing multiple Take That shows, AO Arena general manager Jen Mitchell, said: “It wouldn’t be a Take That tour without a stop-off in Manchester, so it’s great to welcome the band and their fans back to AO Arena for five nights, in the heart of this wonderful city.”

The venue has naturally welcomed the sudden flood of extra names being added to its already strong lineup for 2024, doing its best to minimise inconvenience for gig-goers who have made travel arrangements, booked hotels etc.

As for the group themselves, they also responded to their tens of thousands of fans expecting to see them from this weekend onwards.

Confessing that they’ve had to make “the difficult decision” to switch venues and although “it’s not one [they’ve taken lightly], they wanted to give fans as much notice as possible”, adding: “We thank you for your understanding and we’ll see you all soon”.

Meanwhile, Noughties favourites Keane have sadly had to shelve their Manchester show for the foreseeable following the venue’s continuing “technical issues”.

Announcing the news on their social pages on Thursday evening, they admitted that they were “absolutely gutted” but that the decision was “entirely out of the control”.

Notably, the huge new venue by the Etihad Stadium had to turn away fans who were already queueing for A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie on Monday 1 May, after part of an air conditioning unit fell from the ceiling onto a (thankfully) empty arena floor.

Question marks had already been hanging over whether some upcoming gigs would be able to go ahead and now it seems that they will be taking place – just not at the Co-op Live…

Manchester’s decades-old AO Arena, the largest indoor venue in the UK (until the Co-op Live opens), will be welcoming Keane to its stage instead.

With so many people having been pitting the two venues against one another over the last weeks and months, let’s just say it’s quite clear who’s come out looking better at the minute…

Co-op Live recap – cancelled shows, rescheduled dates, and more from chaotic opening night

Read more:

Featured Images — The Manc Group/Press Images

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A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie moves Manchester gig to AO Arena following Co-op Live cancellation

Danny Jones Danny Jones A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie moves Manchester gig from Co-op Live to AO Arena after cancellation

Rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie has confirmed that his cancelled Co-op Live gig has now been moved to Manchester’s AO Arena this weekend.

After suddenly being lined up as the venue’s first official gig after the postponement of both Peter Kay and The Black Keys, the American hip-hop artists’ show ended up going the same as the others previously scheduled for the new arena and being pulled at the last minute.

With guests being turned away from the still-yet-to-open Co-op Live Arena just hours before the show was set to start, and Olivia Rodrigo fans being given the same unfortunate news ahead of her gig this Saturday, ABWDH has taken matters into his own hands.

Announcing the rescheduling of his concert on X, the 28-year-old artist confirmed that Wednesday night’s gig has now been relocated to Co-op’s main rival, the AO Arena.

The switch to the AO comes after A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie issued a statement admitting he was ‘heated’ about the situation.

Set to take place on Saturday, the artist – which just so happens to be his first name (yes, seriously) – had a simple message for his fans: “We won’t give up that easy, let’s go!”.

Co-op Live’s CEO was forced to resign late last month following the chaos of what was supposed to be their opening week.

Nevertheless, it hasn’t stopped the venue – which is set to become the UK’s biggest indoor entertainment venue and one of the largest in Europe when it finally does open – from announcing more events over the coming months and well into 2025.

Confirming the show on their social pages, the AO simply promised, “It’s going to be a brilliant night and we can’t wait to see you all here.”

Safety has been raised as the biggest concern after an air conditioning unit fell from the ceiling before ABWDH’s concert.

The AO Arena has hosted some of the biggest names in the entire world in the course of its existence and recently underwent a £50m refurbishment that included the launch of The Mezz.

Safe to say this presents an interesting twist in events when so many people have been pitting the two venues against one another.

Question marks have been hanging over whether more upcoming gigs, like Keane on Sunday 5 May, and then a five-night run of gigs from Take That will still be able to go ahead.

It remains to be seen whether other artists will follow suit in moving their shows should more cancellations/postponements be announced.

You can recap everything that’s happened so far down below:

Co-op Live recap – cancelled shows, rescheduled dates, and more from chaotic opening night

Read more:

Featured Images — Press Images/The Manc Audio

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