Birthdays 'ruined', hundreds of pounds wasted on trains and fans left 'gutted': Co-op Live pulls plug on opening night show a day before

Birthday plans were left in ruins, hundreds of pounds were wasted on train tickets and fans were left 'gutted' after Co-op Live cancelled its opening Peter Kay gig just a day before the show.

The highly-anticipated show was due to go ahead tomorrow (April 23) and on Wednesday, at the 23,500-capacity venue. It would have been the showpiece opening for the city's flagship new venue, the largest in the UK.

But just a day before, it was announced by the venue that both shows had been cancelled with work not yet complete. The council's building control is also yet to sign the building off.

READ MORE Peter Kay's huge Co-op Live arena opening gig is CANCELLED with just 24 hours to go

Co-op Live later confirmed on Monday afternoon that both shows would be rescheduled. The two new Peter Kay dates will take place next Monday (29 April) and Tuesday (30 April).

But after the announcement, which some ticket holders complained they read about on social media or in the Manchester Evening News, excited fans hoping to see Peter Kay at the new venue were left 'gutted' and out of pocket.

Clare Donovan had bought six tickets to to go to Tuesday night's show for her mum's 70th birthday. Her parents had caught the train up from Cardiff and Clare, from London. The family have been left stranded in the city after booking time off work and paying hundreds for hotels and train fares.

"I had to call her [my mum] just a few hours ago and she was really upset. Me and my brother, wife and friend were also travelling up as a surprise, so three lots of people have spent money on trains, hotel and have booked time off work," she said.

"We have lost a day's holiday and there is no chance we can go next week. I found out through the M.E.N article, and