This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-68902287

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Co-op Live: Manchester venue boss resigns after shows postponed Co-op Live: Manchester venue boss resigns after shows postponed
(32 minutes later)
The arena is part of a development around Manchester City's Etihad StadiumThe arena is part of a development around Manchester City's Etihad Stadium
The general manager of Manchester's new Co-op Live arena has resigned. The general manager of Manchester's troubled Co-op Live arena has resigned after criticising smaller venues.
The venue, which will be the largest in the UK, held its first test event on Saturday but had to cancel some tickets just hours beforehand. Gary Roden has quit his role days after a backlash over his comments in a BBC interview about "poorly run" grassroots music venues.
It also postponed its opening shows, featuring comedian Peter Kay, as it was not ready, with the comic originally due to perform on Tuesday and Wednesday. Comedian Peter Kay's opening shows had to be cancelled this week as the £365m venue was not ready in time.
A spokesman confirmed: "Gary Roden has decided to resign." Meanwhile tickets for the arena's first test event last Saturday were cancelled at the last minute to reduce capacity.
He continued: "We'd like to thank Gary for his help bringing the UK's newest arena to live entertainment fans and wish him the best for the future. A statement from the arena said it does not "share the sentiment" expressed by Mr Roden and that "Co-op Live remains committed to grassroots music in Manchester and beyond".
"Rebecca Kane Burton has been named interim general manager, effective today. The statement thanked Mr Roden for his "help bringing the UK's newest arena to live entertainment fans and wish him the best for the future" and said Rebecca Kane Burton, an ex boss of London's O2 Arena, would be interim general manager.
"Rebecca is a seasoned veteran of venue management and live entertainment in the UK." Ahead of its grand opening shows, Mr Roden told the BBC he acknowledged the financial pressures facing small venues but added some were poorly run.
He also said there was no robust system to decide who would get a suggested subsidy of £1 from every arena ticket to support pubs and clubs, which the Music Venue Trust (MVT) is calling for.
Instead Mr Roden said the new arena would give £1m a year to the Co-op Foundation charity, which helps a range of causes, and would work with smaller venues on projects like training.
Peter Kay's shows at the venue were pushed backPeter Kay's shows at the venue were pushed back
In response, the MVT told NME that grassroots music venues are not "poorly run", and it is "disrespectful and disingenuous to suggest otherwise", pointing out "insurmountable and highly specialist challenges" they face.
It said: "Obviously, the irony of making ill-judged, unnecessary and misleading comments about grassroots music venues on the day that the launch of their new arena has unfortunately fallen into such difficulties is not lost on anyone in the music industry, on artists, or on audiences."
Kay was due to perform the first official events at the arena but it said work on its power supply was "a few days behind" schedule.Kay was due to perform the first official events at the arena but it said work on its power supply was "a few days behind" schedule.
The comic's performances were rescheduled for 29 and 30 April.The comic's performances were rescheduled for 29 and 30 April.
The venue, which will hold up to 23,500 people when fully open, apologised. The venue, which will hold up to 23,500 people when fully open, apologised as Kay admitted to being "truly gutted" for the disappointment.
Kay also said at the time: "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. Kay added at the time that "obviously, it's a brand-new venue and it's important that everything is finished and safe for full capacity audiences".
"Fortunately, we've been able to reschedule the shows to next week." "Fortunately, we've been able to reschedule the shows to next week," he said.
Apology as some largest arena test tickets axedApology as some largest arena test tickets axed
UK's largest indoor arena opens with big plansUK's largest indoor arena opens with big plans
Manchester to host MTV's Europe Music AwardsManchester to host MTV's Europe Music Awards
US rock band The Black Keys were still due to play the arena on 27 April, before Kay's rescheduled dates.US rock band The Black Keys were still due to play the arena on 27 April, before Kay's rescheduled dates.
The venue said that gig would have a 10,000-capacity and managers would use it to "continue to test the resilience of the venue and its operations".The venue said that gig would have a 10,000-capacity and managers would use it to "continue to test the resilience of the venue and its operations".
Ahead of its opening shows, Mr Roden told the BBC he acknowledged the financial pressures facing small venues but added some were poorly run and there was no robust system to decide who would get the subsidy.
He said the new arena would give £1m a year to the Co-op Foundation charity, which helps a range of causes, and would work with smaller venues on projects like training.
Listen to the best of  BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.ukListen to the best of  BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk
Related TopicsRelated Topics
ManchesterManchester
Peter KayPeter Kay