Friday High Five

Spare a thought this week for one of the region’s most trusted brands.

The Co-op prides itself on ethical values, sustainability and fair trade. Just four years ago it reset its brand to focus on those simple and trusted pillars.

But in committing £100m to a 15 year sponsorship deal for a new arena, operated by Oak View Group (OVG) its name is now associated with the botched launch of a project it ultimately has no control over.

Cock-up Arena, Co-op Chaos, Co-flop Arena may be the phrases being bandied about this week by members of the public, after planned concerts at the new £365m Co-op Live Arena featuring Take That, Peter Kay and rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie were scrapped.

The statement we shared here with readers this week from the Co-op Group was laced with fury at the disastrous launch, demanding a clear plan of action.

Reputationally the city of Manchester has been rescued by the audacious actions of the rival AO Arena, operated by another American entertainment industry giant AEG.

My hunch is that punters will be forgiving of the Co-op itself, and are savvy enough to know it’s not their fault.

But where it really matters the reputation of Oak View is the one that will take the longest time to recover.

Friends of mine who have sponsorship packages are getting anxious they’ve wasted their money.

But artists, their agents, tour promoters in the music and sports industries, will all need some serious reassurance from OVG. As we speak, contingencies will be being made for artists who want to play a music loving city like Manchester, but avoid the calamity that may befall a commitment to the new venue.

Before all this chaos ensued, talk was all about whether Manchester could sustain two venues of such similar size.

The irony is that without the original Arena being there to bail it out, it could all have been far worse for everyone.

Have a great weekend.