Pop superstar Pink will be kicking off the European leg of her Summer Carnival Tour 2023 with two huge gigs in Bolton this week. The So What chart-topper, who last toured the UK in 2019, will also be heading to Sunderland, Birmingham and London.
With just three days to go, concert-goers have been warned to plan their journeys in advance as almost 70,000 fans are expected to head to the University of Bolton Stadium for the two events on Wednesday, June 7 and Thursday, June 8. Final preparations are now underway, with those attending warned to plan journeys in advance and allow plenty of time to get to the stadium.
To make sure travel to and from the stadium is as smooth as possible, key partners, including Bolton Wanderers Football Club, Bolton Council, transport operators, and Greater Manchester Police, have well-rehearsed event travel and transport plans in place. Plans include a traffic management system to avoid over-congestion on public transport and on the roads on both days.
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Renowned for her breathtaking live shows with amazing production, teamed with her world-class talent, Pink is set to deliver yet another impressive series of shows when she arrives in Bolton this week. The two concerts will be held in the stadium, with music starting at 5:30pm and finishing by 11:00pm on each day.
Rehearsals and sound tests will also be taking place on Monday, June 5 and Tuesday, June 6 between the hours of 6pm and 11pm, which will include the discharge of pyrotechnics and fireworks. These will generate noise and music and visual effects that will be both seen and heard in the surrounding area.
For those planning to drive, Bolton council have advised there will only be 1,800 spaces available at the University of Bolton Stadium and parking will need to be purchased in advance. Private car parking booking, which is priced at £25 per vehicle, is in the main car parks of the football stadium and can be booked via the Evology app.
There will public parking available at Bolton Horwich Tesco Extra. 250 spaces per night will be available to purchase from Horizon Parking, and tickets will be sold on a first come first served basis. Gig-goers are advised not to attempt to arrive at the University of Bolton Stadium or Bolton Horwich Tesco Extra by car if they have not purchased a ticket in advance.
A shuttle bus service will also operate from Bolton Town Centre, Wigan Town Centre, and Chorley Town Centre. Drop off and pick up for these services will be on the Cranfield Road. Meanwhile, coaches will be parked near the front of Furniture Village, on the Middlebrook Retail & Leisure Park.
A taxi rank will operate for drop off and pick up on the upper end of the Cranfield Road going towards Lostock Lane and for private car drop off and pick up is in the Tesco Extra site and Filling Station.
Due to the number of visitors, there is also expected to be heavy traffic congestion in the area between 2pm and 9:30pm on both days from concertgoers arriving, and then again from 10:30pm when visitors leave the stadium. Letters have also been sent in advance to local businesses and residents in Bolton to help raise awareness of the tour and to outline the various measures in place to manage the event and reduce the impact it may cause to those working and living in the area.
Phil Mason, Chief Operating Officer at Bolton Wanderers, said: "We're delighted Pink has chosen Bolton as the first UK date on her Summer Carnival World Tour and we're looking forward to welcoming concert-goers from across the UK as well as the town and wider region for the concert.
"Our stadium has a huge amount to offer in the hours leading up to the concerts for those who would like to make the most of the event days. Our inaugural Burnden Parklife festival will be open from midday to 4pm across the Fan Zone and Catering Village, offering a variety of food and drink options as well as live music performances.
“In addition, Bolton Stadium Hotel will open the doors of its Pure Bar from midday where concert-goers can enjoy a live DJ, street food and cocktails amongst much more. We want everyone to enjoy themselves so our advice to all those attending the concerts is to plan your journey in advance and give yourself plenty of time to get to the stadium."
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