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Mixed views from families near Oasis home city concert venue

Parklife Crowds at Manchester's Parklife festival in Heaton ParkParklife
Oasis are set to play five 2025 concerts at Manchester's Heaton Park, which already hosts the Parklife festival (pictured)

While Oasis’s sensational reunion news has delighted legions of fans, the prospect of hundreds of thousands of concert-goers descending on a tranquil city park has been met with a more mixed response.

The band are set to play five 2025 concerts at Manchester's Heaton Park - one of Europe’s largest urban open spaces which is already home to the huge annual Parklife festival.

But the park is surrounded by a patchwork of residential streets, and some families have expressed concern at the thought of yet another huge event on their doorsteps.

Councillor Sean Thorpe said: “The disruption for our residents over two weekends is a stretch”.

He added: “We think a football stadium would be better suited for an event of this scale, rather than a park in a really concentrated residential area."

A view of a walking route through a triumphal arch into Heaton Park
Oasis have confirmed five reunion concerts at Heaton Park
Robert Younge in his home
Robert Younge said he finds events at the park stressful

Robert Younge, who lives opposite Heaton Park, said he was at his wit's end with the disruption associated with the large events.

He said he “can’t stand it anymore” after he noticed a boy and girl urinating in his back garden during a previous event.

He said they swore at him as he “chased them off”.

“Whenever I talk about it, I get stressed. There are hordes of them and the noise is horrendous."

Councillor Pat Karney, who is often involved with the city’s cultural events, promised "a guarantee that every resident with concerns will be listened to".

“We put on annual events like Parklife in Heaton Park and this is not virgin territory," he said.

Mark Jones in front of his garage
Mark Jones hopes there will be plenty of temporary toilets for the large crowds

However, other residents such as Mark Jones, who runs the nearby Parkside Garage, are more optimistic.

He said: "I've seen all the concerts. As long as they put toilets out on the streets, it’s great because all sorts of things go on.

“I don't mind closing early and just getting out of the way. It doesn't bother me at all."

Mark Walker, who runs a DIY shop close to the park, said people have asked him if they can stay overnight at the shop because hotels in the city have ramped up prices.

“I've had people with camper vans phoning to ask if they can pitch up at the back of the shop and walk across after the concert," he said.

“I've not accepted the requests. I need more information about things like road closures."

Mark Walker in his shop in front of DIY items
Mark Walker has had accommodation requests from people with camper vans

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