Co-op Live Arena boss quits just days after venue’s scheduled opening
The decision follows controversy and technical issues around the £365 million venue
Gary Roden, the general manager of Manchester’s new £365 million Co-op Live Arena, has resigned just days after the venue was scheduled to open.
The decision follows controversy, delays, and rows surrounding the new 23,500-capacity venue, which is now the largest indoor arena in the UK.
Roden recently came under fire for his comments around grassroots venues in the UK, previously telling the BBC that some small music venues are "poorly run". He also turned down proposals for a £1 ticket levy which would be used to support grassroots music.
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Co-op Live issued a statement explaining that it did not “share the sentiment” of Roden, adding that it is “committed to grassroots music in Manchester and beyond”.
His resignation comes after a string of delays in the opening of the venue, which has reportedly faced “power supply issues” and had to complete last-minute work ahead of its projected opening to the public on Saturday, April 20.
Manchester Evening News reported that contractors remained on site on the day of its scheduled opening, completing work on the arena in a “desperate dash” to open on time.
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Thousands of ticketholders were informed of cancellations just an hour before doors were due to open for the first time over the weekend, with 11,000 people - including almost 2,000 staff who worked on the venue - set to attend a test event headlined by Rick Astley.
Two subsequent opening events with comedian Peter Kay were also cancelled completely this week. Manchester Evening News reported today that further cancellations have now been made, including a show from The Black Keys this weekend, and two rescheduled shows with Peter Kay, due to go ahead next week.
The troubled Eastlands venue thanked Roden for his help in “bringing the UK’s newest arena to live entertainment fans”, confirming that the former O2 Arena boss, Rebecca Kane Burton, will step up to his position in the interim.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter