Take That fans who forked out hundreds of pounds for prime tickets at the cancelled Co-op Live gigs have hit out after they say they have been given ‘far worse’ seats for the hastily rearranged concerts. The band were due to play five nights at the new £365m arena this week.
But the shows were moved to the AO Arena amid yet more delays for the crisis-hit venue. However several fans who paid a premium to be near the stage at the original gigs have complained they now find themselves near the back of the arena.
Daniel Cairns, from Burnley, bought four tickets for Tuesday’s show at £150 each. He told the Manchester Evening News: “We were near the front to the side and at the end of the row because we have two elderly people with us. They were perfect seats.
‘You can get two pints in here for what they’re charging at Co-op Live’
“But when the email came through they have moved our tickets from right in the front to very back of the arena and near the floor. It’s a bit of a mess.
“There’s not even any mention of a refund. It’s just like you get what you are given and be grateful we are putting it on. If they cannot guarantee like-for-like seats then they should have postponed the shows to a later date.”
Superfan Gemma Palin said her seats are now ‘far worse’ than the ones she had booked for Tuesday night’s gig and has complained to Ticketmaster. She said: “I’m sorry but I would rather have waited months to see them instead of different seats. I didn’t buy a Ferrari and expect to get a Punto.”
Fellow superfan Anita Morrissey-Booth, from Hyde, has been to see than band more than 100 times and has tickets for four of their concerts this week. She said: “I’m going nearly every day. We paid £250 for tickets in block A, right at the front for one show, and they’ve moved us to block F.
“I was right by the stage, now we’re going to be looking at tiny little figures. It’s absolutely ridiculous. There’s been the stress of it all moving in the first place and now this – it’s disgusting. It’s pretty much a like-for-like arena – it would have been easier to give us the same seats.”
Jay Chippendale, from Urmston, paid £230 for two ‘grade one’ floor tickets for Tuesday’s concert for his wife Natalie’s birthday present. But now he says they’ve been given seats in block 107 in the stands.
He said: “It’s not even close. It’s like night and day. I bought expensive tickets because I wanted it to be nice experience for my wife’s birthday.
“I can get a refund, but I don’t want a refund – I want to see Take That in the seats I paid for. It’s just really disappointing and we’re both feeling a bit angry. They’re taking the Mick really.”
AO Arena general manager Jen Mitchell said: “We completely sympathise with the fans over the past few weeks. Our partners at Ticketmaster are working incredibly hard to do what they can to allocate the best appropriate equivalent seats for upcoming shows, and to make sure fans are as well located as they can be based on original bookings.
“As a venue we don’t manage ticketing. Our responsibility is to make sure everyone gets in and has a great, safe time on the night. And of course, we’re really pleased to be able to host these shows at AO Arena and keep them in Manchester for fans over five massive nights. We advise fans to contact their ticket provider with any queries or issues.”
Ticketmaster have been contacted for a comment.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
