TAKE THAT FANS OUTRAGED WITH SEAT OFFERS FOR MANCHESTER GIG AT NEW VENUE AMID CO-OP LIVE CHAOS

Take That fans are expressing their frustration following the band's recent arena change amid the Co-op Live chaos.

Fans are up in arms after a venue switch-up has left them with altered seating arrangements, sparking "anger" and "disappointment" among the fanbase.

Take That, currently consisting of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen, were forced to shift their upcoming gigs from Co-op Live to Manchester's AO Arena due to "technical issues" at the initial venue, causing a reshuffle that has seen some fans lose their coveted front row spots.

Ticketmaster has been on damage control, stating they've collaborated with event promoters to relocate fans to seats that closely match their original purchase, though acknowledging that "some seating locations will vary".

The AO Arena has expressed its understanding of the situation, assuring that they're diligently working to ensure fans receive "appropriate equivalent seats for upcoming shows", while clarifying that ticketing is not within their management scope.

Speaking exclusively to the Mirror on Sunday, one ticket-holder questioned if they would ever book a gig in Manchester again after the last-minute venue switch left them seated far further from the stage than they would have been had the concert gone ahead at the under-fire Co-op Live arena.

"We’re outraged," Ryan declared to the Mirror. "We bought tickets months back for the side of the stage - paid extra, the lot. Of course with the arena change, it was going to come with difficulties so didn’t expect to be in the exact same seats, but we certainly didn’t expect to be at the back of the arena either. They said it was on a 'like for like' basis so but it’s clear Ticketmaster have just issued the seats at random. "

The fuming fan continued: "AO arena are discharging responsibility and putting it to Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster are referring everyone to an automated service — nobody wants to help. Will Ticketmaster reimburse the additional cost?" He then declared: "From the chaos of the Co-op arena to now this with the AO arena, it makes me not want to book anymore gigs in Manchester."

Ryan isn't the only ticket-holder left disappointed amid the venue switch. Speaking to PA News Agency, 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".

Ms Morrissey-Booth, a car sales executive for Volkswagen, told PA: "I'm a massive fan and I've followed them when I was young back in the 90s I go to anywhere between 10 and 20 different dates on various tours. This is what I save up for, this is what I work hard for, to get these good tickets and see them everywhere."

The Take That fan added: "I would have rather it be cancelled and rescheduled and we kept the tickets we brought, rather than being moved. It's not a nice feeling you look forward to it, and it's absolutely burst the whole bubble of it all it's making people not want to go."

As a means to deal with the ongoing delays connected to Co-Op Live, all of the band's shows have been moved to the AO Arena. These are scheduled on the same dates as previously scheduled, apart from the May 8 show now rescheduled to May 9. Take That clarified their stand through an Instagram statement: "Given the ongoing technical issues around the opening of Co-op Live we have taken the difficult decision to move our May shows to the AO Arena where we have enjoyed many great nights over the years."

"This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we wanted to give our fans as much notice as possible. We're mindful many of you will already have travel and accommodation plans in place, so we have chosen this option to minimise inconvenience to as many people as possible."

A spokesperson for Ticketmaster said: "With Take That's shows moving to a new venue with a different layout, our team has worked with the event promoter to move fans to a location as similar to their original booking as possible. However, some seating locations will vary. 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."

Jen Mitchell, the general manager of AO Arena, said: "We completely sympathise with the fans over the past few weeks. Ticketing providers are working incredibly hard to do what they can to allocate 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."

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2024-05-05T19:44:48Z dg43tfdfdgfd