Fourth time lucky? When will Manchester’s Co-Op Live actually open?

Sky News Daily

Thursday, 2 May 2024 - 21 minutes

Thousands of fans have been left frustrated after Manchester’s newest venue delayed its launch again after a string of technical problems.The Co-op Live arena will be the UK’s largest indoor arena accommodating 23,500 people at a cost of £365m - but it’s yet to officially open its doors, cancelling tours from Peter Kay, Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Olivia Rodrigo. On the Sky News Daily Niall Paterson speaks to Sky’s chief North of England correspondent Greg Milam to find out what is behind the delays as well as Pauline Forster, landlady at a gig venue, which has launched several celebrity careers. They discuss the realities and costs of running a small gig venue and why such spaces are important. Also on the podcast, Niall gets the latest from the university protests in the US, where riot police have been firing rubber bullets at protesters refusing to disperse from campus. Sky’s US correspondent Martha Kelner shares her eyewitness account from University of California. Producers: Rosie Gillott and Emma Rae Woodhouse Podcast Promotions Producer: David Chipakupaku Editor: Paul Stanworth