News, Manchester
A large green fence has been erected on a hill in Heaton Park where ticketless fans had been gathering to watch Oasis play from a distance.
Hundreds of fans watched the first of the band’s sold-out shows in Manchester from the grassy area of the park dubbed “Gallagher Hill”, where they could see the large screens showing the concert.
Manchester City Council said the site has been fenced off to “dissuade people from gathering there”, and to protect livestock and recently planted trees.
Councillor John Hacking said fans without tickets should go the city centre instead to enjoy “a real party atmosphere”.
Twitter/ @asyouwereS6Oasis are set to take to the stage again on Wednesday, but fans who had wanted to watch from a distance at ‘Gallagher Hill’ will now find their view blocked.
The council has urged people without tickets not to go to Heaton Park
Hacking said: “The steps being taken ahead of the next concert regretfully mean the distant view of the large screens behind the event stage will no longer be there”.
The council’s hand “had been forced” into putting up the fence to protect the trees, the livestock, and the safety of people in park, he added.
‘Gallagher Hill’ had become so well known that a location tag for it has been added to Google Maps.
Fans, including those who were unable to get tickets, flocked to Heaton Park on Friday and Saturday night and have found all sorts of creative ways to still be part of the action.
Greater Manchester Police reported six people had been arrested for trying to get into the shows with “fake accreditation”, while others have been caught trying to force their way through a perimeter fence.
Oasis are set to play another three shows at Heaton Park on 16, 19 and 20 July.
