Senior borough councillors including the council leader have aired their disappointment after not being consulted about a series of Oasis gigs happening in Heaton Park next year.
On Tuesday, the Manchester rock band announced they would be returning with a UK tour next year, including five gigs now set to take place at the park, near Prestwich, on July 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20.
But councillors in the neighbouring area, including St Mary's representatives, council leader Eamonn O’Brien, Debra Green and Sean Thorpe, Holyrood councillors Elliot Moss, Imran Rizvi and Lynn Ryder and Sedgley councillors Richard Gold, Alan Quinn and Debbie Quinn have asked for talks with Manchester City Council to discuss concerns they have about the gigs.
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While they recognise that the gigs will be great events for Oasis fans and music fans in general, they worry about the impact they will have on residents and businesses in the area.
Spokesperson for the group, Cllr Sean Thorpe, said: “We are concerned about the impact on our local businesses who will not be able to trade.
“We speak on behalf of our residents who will endure parking restrictions, road closures, sound pollution, lack of access to the park and the potential for anti-social behaviour.
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“Prestwich is also home to many enriching community and faith groups - their activities will also be severely restricted.
“With Parklife already taking place, people’s lives will be disrupted for three weekends over a short space of time next summer which we think is unacceptable.
“Any weekday concerts in term time will also impact the nearby schools – our children’s education should not be compromised because of an event like this.”
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The group added that talks with the city council, which runs the park, will hopefully explore options for a more appropriate venue to be used for an event of this scale as well as if compensation will be offered to residents and businesses from the event.
UK Music chief executive Tom Kiehl said the first tour since 2009 will have “a lot of impact on local economies” due to the only European dates taking place across the UK and Ireland.
Oasis will also perform at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, London’s Wembley Stadium, Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium and Dublin’s Croke Park throughout July and August next year.
Manchester City Council have been approached for a comment.
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