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Samantha Harding and her partner Clifford were ecstatic when they snagged tickets to see Morrissey at his much-anticipated Co-op Live gig.
The hope was that Clifford, 61, who is a long time Morrissey fan, would be able to see his idol up close for the very first time. Samantha paid over £100 to book them tickets in the brand new arena's ambulent disabled area owing to Clifford's disability, which means he is unable to stand up for long periods of time.
But when the gig began the pair were left 'unable to see a thing' after those in the seats in front of them stood up. Samantha complained to Co-op Live, who she says replied telling her if you 'choose to remain seated' you are not entitled to a refund. The £450m arena, which opened in May 2024, has now made contact with Samantha and said in the 'rare' event accessible facilities are not suitable their team will always endeavour to move individuals.
"It's just ridiculous," Samantha told the Manchester Evening News. "I think it was the worst experience of disabled facilities we've ever had."
Samantha said she initally booked tickets in the ambulant disabled area, a space designated for those who have accessibility needs but are able to walk and stand.
"I think the tickets sold out really quickly, I booked them as soon as they came out," she said. "Clifford has a disabled access card so he can have a carer alongside him, and I went along in that capacity.
"The seats we had in the ambulant disabled area initially looked really good, but we were in the back row of the block we were in and as soon as the gig started all the people in front started standing up."
Samantha added she asked a steward if they could ask people to sit down, but the steward refused. Co-op Live told the M.E.N. they have no power to ask people to sit down in this section.
When the duo then left the concert to complain at the fan services station they were moved to an accessible platform. However, Samantha said their view was still obstucted by those standing in the seats in front of them.
"We had the same issue there, people stood up and we couldn't see over their heads," she said. "I paid over £100 for these tickets - we could've had the choice not to pay all that money."
She said she complained after the show and claims a supervisor told her the steward should have asked people to sit down. However, Co-op Live have told the M.E.N they have no power to ask people to stay seated in any area of the arena.
Samantha went home and decided to submit a complaint online. She said she was left 'shocked' by the response she received, which quoted part of the terms and conditions of tickets outlining how anyone who 'chooses to remain seated' would not be eligible for a refund.
"It made me really angry," Samantha said. "Not everyone has the option to stand up.
"There was no point in being there at all. If we wanted to see other people's backs we could have stayed at the bus station!"
A Co-op Live spokesperson said: “Co-op Live includes accessible platforms on all levels with additional measures to improve sightlines, step-free access to all floors, and added provision for ambulant requirements.
"On the rare occasion where designated areas or seats do not meet the requirement of the individual, our in-event stewards will always endeavour to relocate the individual to a more suitable position once the issue is raised. We have reached out to the individual in question directly to discuss.”
This seems like a homework and crowd management issue. If you want seated tickets in an exclusive seating only area, then select that or push for that as an option for inclusivity. People will stand, it allows for a more communicative experience. My mate went to NIN on Tuesday and he's been communicating exclusively with codeine and iboprofen ever since.
www.bbc.co.uk
