Take That fans ‘angry’ at new seats for moved shows

Some Take That fans have spoken of their “disappointment” at their new seats after the band’s Manchester gigs moved venue.

The pop group were set to perform five shows on consecutive nights at the new £365m Co-op Live Arena from Tuesday.

Some Take That fans have seen their front row seats for Co-op Live changed to other blocks at the AO Arena.

Ticketing provider Ticketmaster said it worked with the event promoter to “move fans to a location as similar to their original booking as possible”, adding that “some seating locations will vary”.

Denise Taylor, 48, who has followed Take That since she was 15, said the experience had been “one nightmare after another” for the 7 May show.

After spending £250 on a VIP ticket for second row floor seats, she has been moved to block 103, row C, which is a tier on the side of the AO Arena.

“I’m angry, I’m disappointed. I’ve been a fan since 1992 and I’ve never missed a tour. I used to watch them in nightclubs before they got famous,” said Ms Taylor, from Stoke-on-Trent.

She said she had bought the tickets as part of a presale promotion when she pre-ordered the band’s upcoming album This Life.

Ms Taylor, who will be going to the show with a friend, added she “can’t get excited” for the concert anymore.

Anita Morrissey-Booth, 43, from Manchester, said she had paid £250 for a seat in block A, row 2, in front of the stage, for the show on Tuesday but her seat had been moved “38 rows back”.

The self-described “massive fan” said: “This is what I save up for, this is what I work hard for, to get these good tickets and see them everywhere.”

Susie Hawcock, 52, from Doncaster, who is due at the Tuesday concert with husband Simon, 48, said she has been moved to the “back of the arena” after previously securing seats on a tier to the side.

She said: “It’s ruined our couple of days.”

All of the band’s shows have been transferred to the AO Arena and are on the same dates as before except for 8 May which has been changed to 9 May.

A Ticketmaster spokesperson said: “We appreciate fans’ understanding, and reiterate that refunds are available through their Ticketmaster account. Everyone who booked VIP floor seats remains in VIP floor seats after the relocation.”

AO Arena general manager Jen Mitchell said the company “completely sympathised” with fans and that ticketing providers were “working hard”.

“As a venue we don’t manage ticketing,” she said.

On Saturday, Gary Simpson, senior vice president of operations UK at ASM Global, which runs AO Arena, said the week had been “fantastic but hectic”.

“We’ve got a great team here at the AO Arena; 48 hours notice we’ve managed to put this show on tonight, we’ve got another five shows here next week of Take That as well, the team have been absolutely phenomenal,” he added.

Co-op Live said it was aware its actions had “frustrated” and “angered” ticket holders, adding it does not expect any further impact on its opening season.