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Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse cancels PVRIS gig at last minute as water pours through ceiling

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 12th May 2024

The O2 Victoria Warehouse has had to turn away PVRIS gig-goers as doors opened after the thunderstorms across Manchester proved too much for the venue’s roof.

Thousands were excitedly heading to the huge music venue to see American pop-rockers PVRIS perform.

But the band’s gig has now been postponed, with the news announced after the official door opening time.

PVRIS said that the cancellation was caused by a ‘massive leak in the venue’s ceiling’ and shared a video of the hall with pools of water on the floor.

Fans who were already inside the O2 Victoria Warehouse have shared videos of water pouring through the roof inside.

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Many said that they were being turned away before either the band or the venue had issued an update.

O2 Victoria Warehouse posted: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, tonight’s performance at O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester with #PVRIS – Sun 12 May 2024 – is postponed.

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“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and all customers are advised to retain tickets until further notice.”

PVRIS has said: “We are so sorry to have to cancel the show tonight due to a massive leak in the venue’s ceiling causing flooding right before doors.

“We’ve tried everything we could to find an alternative to still perform for you all tonight but due to circumstances beyond our control there is unfortunately no options for the show to go ahead.

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“We were looking forward to our first gig back in the UK and to spend it with you & we are just as disappointed but everyone’s safety is #1 priority.

“We are doing our best to find a way to reschedule this show ASAP.

“More info coming as soon we know more, we are in the dark just as much you are about the situation.”

Scenes at O2 Victoria Warehouse before PVRIS gig

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Featured image: Instagram, pvris

News

Plans approved for new safari lodges at Chester Zoo where visitors wake up next to giraffes

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

You could soon be able to stay overnight in a safari lodge, and wake up to see giraffes and other animals roaming freely.

That’s right… it’s finally happening.

It’s been a very long time coming, but this week – after several years of waiting following plans first being hinted at in 2019, and revised plans then being unveiled back in June 2022 – Chester Zoo has now been given the highly-anticipated green light to build dozens of savannah-style lodges on a plot of its land that’s currently not being actively-used.

A total of 51 lodges have been approved by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning department as part of the ‘Grasslands’ development – with some of them set to overlook a lake, while others overlook an enclosure with free-roaming giraffes.

As mentioned, similar proposals to those that’ve been green-lit this week had been approved in 2019, but they had to be put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Plans have been approved to build dozens of new overnight safari lodges at Chester Zoo / Credit: Chester Zoo

Revised plans were then submitted in 2022 for 63 lodges, but this was later reduced to 51.

On top of the reduction to 51 lodges last year, a number of changes also had to be made to the design of the development’s welcome building to make it “simpler” in response to rising costs, according to reports by CheshireLive and BBC News.

The approved plans include four types of lodges, all with a design based on traditional timber African safari lodges.

Alongside the 51 lodges, the Council’s planners have also approved a two-storey reception building with a bar and restaurant, an orientation lodge, and the groundworks for the all-important creation of a lake the development’s set to overlook.

Visitors will be able to wake up too see giraffes and other animals roaming freely / Credit: Chester Zoo

Given that the development is proposed for Green Belt land, this means it can only be built on if special circumstances are demonstrated, and other considerations also had to be taken into account by the Council’s planning committee too, such as the contribution the zoo makes to the local economy, and the benefits it provides to education and global conservation initiatives.

But the planners’ report stated that all those requirements had been met in the latest proposals submitted by the zoo.

“Taken together, it is considered that these considerations outweigh the harm to the Green Belt and amount to very special circumstances,” the report stated.

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It then concluded that: “On balance, subject to the conditions set out below and taking into account the provisions of the development plan and all other material planning considerations, it is recommended that planning permission be granted”.

A timeline for works, and predicted project completion dates are set to be announced in due course, so keep your eyes peeled.

Featured Image – Chester Zoo

News

Travel advice issued ahead of ‘really busy’ weekend with Barry Manilow and Manchester City playing next door to each other

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Travel advice issued ahead of 'really busy' weekend with Barry Manilow and Manchester City playing next door to each other. Credit: TfGM

The new Co-op Live arena will really be put to its first big travel test this weekend when it welcomes Barry Manilow on the same day that Manchester City are playing next door.

Travel advice has now been issued ahead of what’s set to be a ‘really busy’ Sunday in the city.

Tens of thousands of people will travel to and from the neighbouring venues of Co-op Live and the Etihad Stadium for the two huge events.

TfGM has warned people to ‘leave plenty of time’ for travelling to either Barry Manilow’s gig, or to see Manchester City potentially scooping another Premier League title against West Ham.

 It’s advised to use public transport and active travel to get to either venue, with parking at Co-op Live already sold out and a strict residents parking scheme in operation in the surrounding area.

And of course, ticket-holders for Barry Manilow do have free Metrolink tram travel included with their event ticket.

 The free tram travel is valid for four hours before and after the show, and can also be used on post-event shuttle buses from Co-op Live back to the city centre.

As for Manchester City fans, a double tram service will be running between town and Etihad Campus before and after the match, and there’ll be a bespoke shuttle bus service to the city centre and 17 supporters’ bus services around Greater Manchester.

Manchester City will be aiming for a new Premier League title on Sunday while Barry Manilow plays next door. Credit: Unsplash
Credit: Unsplash, Jonny Gios
Travel advice for getting to Barry Manilow at Co-op Live has been issued
Credit: Publicity picture
Travel advice has been issued as Barry Manilow and Manchester City events take place in neighbouring venues on the same day.

If City do claim their fourth Premier League title, the buses will leave later, at 7.15pm.

Public transport will be extremely busy before and after the events (and there’ll be some crossover with thousands of footy fans leaving the area as thousands of gig-goers arrive).

One of the most straight-forward ways to get to the area is just to walk, if you’re able to, with a new walking route laid out that takes around 35 minutes from town.

The step-free, well-lit, interactive walking route (also marked on maps as ‘CityLink’) is clearly signposted from Piccadilly Station and through the Ancoats and New Islington areas, with new light and art installations along the route.

 Helpers will be on hand to support people as they make their way to and from the events.   

Walking route to Co-op Live and Etihad Stadium

Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer at TfGM, said: “We’re expecting it to be a really busy Sunday with Barry Manilow in town and Manchester City on the brink of a fourth consecutive Premier League title – that’s why we’ve worked with partners on plans to ensure our transport network is as robust as possible on the day.   

“We want everyone to have a great time and, would encourage those off to the Etihad or Co-op Live to use public transport for their journeys, or consider walking, cycling or wheeling as the best way to get to and from their destination.   

“Planning and preparation for events such as this is done in great detail and there will be plenty of staff on hand to help and support people making their way to and from their destination.

“Enhanced bus and tram services will be in place and we will also be monitoring the network and providing up to date travel information so people’s journeys run as smoothly as possible.”

Further information on getting to the Co-op Live Arena and the Etihad Stadium can be found on the TfGM website. 

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Featured image: TfGM

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