News

Peter Kay’s gigs at Co-op Live have been postponed as the arena admits it’s not ready for opening act

The news comes less than 24 hours before Kay was set to deliver the venue's inaugural show.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 22nd April 2024

Just a day before the venue was set to welcome its very first act, Co-op Live has announced that arena opener Peter Kay’s gigs have unfortunately been cancelled and postponed until later this month.

Both of Peter Kay‘s highly-anticipated shows have ultimately had to be called off after Co-op Live revealed that the brand-new entertainment venue is simply not ready to welcome guests just yet, with work still to be completed on key areas of the building, namely power supply issues.

Issuing a regretful statement on social media, the arena has confirmed that the shows will now be rescheduled to Monday and Tuesday, 29-30 April.

This comes barely a day after its official opening event this past weekend which also saw thousands have their tickets cancelled for the accompanying ‘test gig’.

Co-op Live confirms Peter Kay’s pair of opening shows have been cancelled and rescheduled.

Addressing the situation online, Co-op Live said: “Following our first test event on Saturday, regretfully we have made the difficult decision to reschedule our two opening performances by Peter Kay…

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“It is critical to ensure we have a consistent total power supply to our fully electric sustainable venue, the completion of which is a few days behind. Rescheduling gives us the extra time we need to continue testing thoroughly.

“This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size. Peter Kay has very graciously agreed to perform his record-breaking comedy at Co-op Live on 29 (rescheduled from 23) and 30 (rescheduled from 24) April 2024.

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“All tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase. Refunds will be available for those who can no longer attend. We are very sorry for the inconvenience that this change will undoubtedly cause for some.” Safe to say many of those looking forward to the show have been left frustrated.

Speaking to The Manc, a Stockport gig-goer who had tickets said they had to find out via social media and that her group had still received no email notifying them about the cancellation, adding, “We just logged into the app to find the date on our tickets had been changed to next Monday”.

As for the beloved Bolton-born stand-up and British comedy legend himself, Kay added: “I’m truly gutted as I know how disappointing this will be for everyone with tickets, but obviously it’s a brand-new venue and it’s important that everything is finished and safe for full capacity audiences.

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“Fortunately, we’ve been able to reschedule the shows to next week, (I’ll have to miss my Bums & Tums class) but hopefully I’ll see you then.”

The venue also went on to assure that they will still be hosting The Black Keys on 27 April in the lower bowl with 10k fans as planned and will continue to test the resilience of the venue and its operations for the time being.

They also reminded fans who previously missed out on tickets that due to dates being moved, tickets may now become available.

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Featured Images — The Manc Audio/Press Images

News

Full list of Christmas opening hours at all UK supermarkets 2024

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Aldi, and M&S are among the supermarkets to adjust opening hours at stores across the UK during the festive period.

As Christmas is fast approaching, most of us will have already started to stock up on food and drink for the big day ahead of time, but with so much to prepare for, it’s pretty easy to forget something important – which tends to leave us running to the shops before 25th.

While some have probably opted for home deliveries or Click & Collect services, others still prefer to shop in store.

To help you make sure everything is sorted, we’ve pulled together a list of all the major supermarket opening hours over the festive period, so grab your bags for life and get your shopping list at the ready, because Santa is on his way and he’ll be expecting his annual dose of mince pies.

Here’s a roundup list of supermarket opening hours.

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Tesco

Shoppers are being advised to check the Tesco Store Locator for the festive opening times at their local, as different branches may be operating different hours, however, most stores are operating reduced hours on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, as well as being closed all day on Christmas Day.

Here’s a rough guideline:

  • Monday 23 December: 6am – 12pm
  • Christmas Eve: 6am – 7pm
  • Christmas Day: CLOSED
  • Boxing Day: 9am – 6pm
  • Friday 27 – Monday 30 December: normal hours
  • New Year’s Eve: 6am – 7pm
  • New Year’s Day: 9am – 6pm

Check the opening times for your local Tesco store here.

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Sainsbury’s

Just like Tesco, Sainsbury’s will be operating reduced hours on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, as well as being closed on Christmas day, but shoppers are encouraged to head to the retailer’s Store Locator to find out the opening times for their nearest branch.

  • Monday 23 December: 6am – 10pm
  • Christmas Eve: 6am to 7pm
  • Christmas Day: CLOSED
  • Boxing Day: 9am to 6pm
  • Friday 27 – Monday 30 December: normal hours
  • New Year’s Eve: 7am – 7pm
  • New Year’s Day: 8am – 8pm

You can check the opening times for your local Sainsbury’s store here.

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Asda

Following along the same lines as Tesco and Sainsbury’s, Asda shoppers are being advised to check the Asda Store Locator for the festive opening times at their local store, as different branches are operating different hours, however, most stores are operating reduced hours on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, as well as being closed all day on Christmas Day.

Here’s a rough guideline:

  • Monday 23 December: 5am to 10pm
  • Christmas Eve: 5am – 7pm
  • Christmas Day: CLOSED
  • Boxing Day: 9am – 6pm
  • Friday 27 – Monday 30 December: normal hours
  • New Year’s Eve: 7am – 7pm
  • New Year’s Day: 9am – 6pm

Check the opening times for your local ASDA store here.

Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, and more have adjusted their opening hours for the festive period / Credit: Tesco

Morrisons

Morrisons is open throughout the festive season, just like its other competitions, and will only closing on Christmas Day, but hours will vary so you’ll need to check the opening times for your local.

  • Monday 23 December: 7am – 10pm
  • Christmas Eve: 5am to 7pm
  • Christmas Day: CLOSED
  • Boxing Day: 9am – 6pm
  • Friday 27 – Monday 30 December: normal hours
  • New Year’s Eve: 7am – 7pm
  • New Year’s Day: 9am to 6pm

Check the opening times for your local Morrisons store here.

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Aldi

Aldi stores across the UK are set to close of the three major festive bank holidays this year, meaning doors will be shut on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, with reduced hours in operation on the days surrounding it.

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Here’s what you need to know:

  • Monday 23 December: 7am – 10pm
  • Christmas Eve: 7am – 6pm
  • Christmas Day & Boxing Day: CLOSED
  • Friday 27 & Saturday 28 December: 8am – 8pm
  • Sunday 29 December: 9.30am – 4pm
  • Monday 30 December: 8am – 8pm
  • New Year’s Eve: 8am – 6pm
  • New Year’s Day: CLOSED

You can find out more about the supermarket’s decision to shut up shop on the three festive bank holidays this year here.

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Lidl

Lidl has released a list of its festive opening hours, and just like Aldi, will also be closing most of its stores on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, but you’ll want to check Lidl’s website to find out more information.

  • Monday 23 December: normal hours
  • Christmas Eve: normal hours
  • Christmas Day & Boxing Day: CLOSED
  • Friday 27 – Monday 30 December: normal hours
  • New Year’s Eve: normal hours
  • New Year’s Day: CLOSED

Check the opening times for your local Lidl here.

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Co-op

Just like many other retailers on this list, Co-op’s opening times vary from store to store over the festive period, but the retailer has confirmed it will be operating reduced hours on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day – with all branches closed on Christmas Day across the UK as a standard.

Shoppers are being urged to check the Co-op Store Finder for the opening hours for their nearest branch here.

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M&S

Once again, M&S is another retailer where festive opening hours differ from store to store, so it’s best to check your local branch specifically, but what we do know is that all stores across the UK will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day as a standard.

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  • Monday 23 December: 6am – 10pm
  • Christmas Eve: 6am – 7pm
  • Christmas Day & Boxing Day: CLOSED
  • Friday 27 & Saturday 28 December: 8am – 8pm
  • Sunday 29 December: 11am – 5pm
  • Monday 30 December: 8am – 9pm
  • New Year’s Eve: 8am – 7pm
  • New Year’s Day: CLOSED

Check the opening times for your local M&S store here.

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Featured Image – Morrisons

News

Man jailed after robbing and throwing hot coffee over elderly man in Piccadilly Gardens

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A man who robbed an elderly man in Piccadilly Gardens earlier this year, leaving him “disoriented”, has now been jailed.

Simon Quest appeared on trial at Bolton Crown Court this week.

The court heard how, on Thursday 6 June 2024, the 37-year-old robbed a man while he was walking through Piccadilly Gardens by following the victim on his bike, throwing a cup of coffee over him which caused him to fall over, and then proceeding to rummage through the victim’s pockets.

Quest managed to steal the victim’s phone before fleeing the area, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained.

Following this shocking incident, a police investigation was launched by detectives within GMP’s ‘Operation Vulcan’ team, and a short while later, Quest was then arrested in Piccadilly Gardens – with police recovering bolt cutters, Mercedes wheel locks, and a man bag from him.

Quest pleaded not guilty to the offence, but following a two-day trial at Bolton Crown Court, the jury found him guilty in just 18 minutes.

He has now been jailed for four years and six months for robbery. 

According to Detective Constable James Hayes, Quest had shown “no remorse for his deplorable actions throughout the entire process”.

“Our victim was left completely disoriented and was unable to defend himself, and Quest took this opportunity to steal his phone,” DC Hayes continued.

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“I’d like to thank the members of the public who rushed to help the victim but also stayed at the scene to share witness statements with us, as their assistance and continued support have been crucial to securing this conviction.”

Featured Image – GMP

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