'It's not fair it's happening here - why's it not in an arena?'

SPECIAL REPORT: Parklife and five Oasis concerts will bring plenty of disruption for Prestwich residents around Heaton Park - and opinions on the events are divided. Stephen Topping went out to take the temperature ahead of the huge summer events

There's no escaping the enormity of what Heaton Park will witness this summer.

After a 16-year wait, Burnage's favourite sons will reunite for a tour many believed would never happen. Oasis will play in the same location as their last Manchester performance.

Coachloads of devoted fans will descend, bussed in from towns across the country, while others will arrive by tram or on foot. Up to 400,000 people are expected to witness history being made across five nights in July.

The gigs will come less than a month on from Parklife festival, headlined by 50 Cent and Charli XCX, and Catfish and the Bottleman next Friday (June 13).

Those living near to Heaton Park are no strangers to such major events. They are used to the road closures, the rumble of bass and the stream of music lovers walking past their homes - but the occasions still pose a few headaches.

'Why is it not in an arena?'

Parklife has been a regular fixture at Heaton Park since 2013, while bands including The Stone Roses and Courteeners have also played major events.

The shows still divide opinion on the Prestwich streets which surround the park though - and some choose to leave their homes when the 'chaos' descends.

Mum-of-three Rachel Varley says she raised her concerns to local MP Christian Wakeford after the Oasis concerts were announced. Her family usually go away when Parklife takes place.

"I'm really cross," she told the Manchester Evening News. "I don't think it's fair on residents. I just think it's really poor to put such a big event on in such a family residential area. Why is it not in an arena?"

Most days of the year, Sheepfoot Lane is a busy A-road, lined by semi-detached and large detached homes on one side, opposite the park.

It will be a 'clearway' from 9am to 1am each day during Parklife and Oasis gig days, while, the road will be completely closed for five hours from 8pm each night next Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and 9.30pm when Oasis perform.

"[My daughter] works in a pizza place and finishes at 10.30pm," she said. "It means she's walking home by herself at 10.30pm, when a concert is on."

Road signs on Sheepfoot Lane are now warning motorists of upcoming disruption, while huge fences and barriers are also cordoning off areas of the park, including the Papal Field and the iconic Grand Lodge entrance.

Speaking to the M.E.N. via a Ring doorbell, one neighbour described 'chaos' in the area every year, but insisted that 'people have got used to it' - and other neighbours shared that sentiment.

A resident who gave her name as Mrs Khan, 48, said: "We're used to it. Years back, it was more rowdy, very loud music. But they've paid a bit of attention [to us]. They do it very well, everything is fine.

"They just need more security to stop them messing around disturbing residents. Sometimes they are messing in gardens, but overall it's alright."

One couple, who asked not to be named, added: "The main thing is that the road is closed off. It's usually noisy - very noisy.

"I think Oasis won't be any different to when it's Parklife. It will be exactly the same. They should do it in a football stadium, away from residents."

'It's just people having a good time'

Walk through the usually-idyllic Heaton Park and the leafy streets which surround it, and it is easy to see why families are drawn to the area. Some residents feel major events are a small price to pay for it.

Zainab Nawaz, 19, said: "It happens every year, you get used to it. It's always packed. It's a bit of an inconvenience [on the road] but other than that, we live in front of a big park, what do you expect?"

Darren Booth, 54, is looking forward to the spotlight falling on Heaton Park in the next few weeks. "Everything was OK last year [during Parklife]," he said.

"These roads get closed, I think there's a hell of a lot of security and police presence which helps. But I've never had any bad experience. It's just people having a good time.

"I'm looking forward to it, to be honest. I think it's a weekend each year - and the week for Oasis. The other 50 weeks of the year, it's fine."

On Bury Old Road, residents are more concerned about anti-social behaviour - particularly regarding where festivalgoers relieve themselves after leaving Parklife.

Robert Younge, who has lived in the area for 40 years, says he has seen countless festivalgoers using the streets as a public toilet, while he even caught one couple in a compromising position outside his home - before the man 'ran off with his trousers down'.

Robert said: "They let people out on this side of the park, there are no cars allowed by they [festivalgoers] will be running around here, messing in gardens. I think it's disgusting.

"We get people running around here until 2am-3am. We can't get any peace. I know at least 20 people that book their holidays to go away for it. I'm sick of it. They run around banging on your windows, they think it's funny, the abuse you get."

Robert also believes the frequent events have taken their toll on the parkland and the wildlife that have called it home over the years.

His long-time neighbour Kathleen Beckett, 74, added: "The only thing is when they want to go to the toilet, they come into my back yard.

"I've got my grandson's caravan at the back and they will be hiding behind there. I'm going to put the wheelie bins there [to stop them] - if I hear them moving it, I'll know it's them."

'Customers don't want to come'

Several shops, takeaways, bars and pubs are dotted close to the Heaton Park tram stop, and the park's Bury Old Road entrance. They have formed part of the story of Prestwich's growing reputation as a food and drink destination in recent years.

But like the residents who live close-by, local businesses also have mixed opinions on what the busy summer in Heaton Park will mean for them.

Johnny Gupta, owner of the Lime Tree Indian restaurant on Bury Old Road, believes there is a perception among the public that businesses like his 'make so much money' during Parklife weekend - when the opposite is true.

He said: "The first year, we got no money. They [festivalgoers] are kids, they are not going to come into the restaurant to eat or drink. All they did was come in to use the toilet.

"On Saturday and Sunday they close the roads, so we are unable to do any deliveries. Customers are not able to come to the restaurant - and the majority don't want to come [during Parklife]."

After speaking to event organisers about the issues his business faced, Parklife now sends crew to eat at the restaurant, spending 'about £1,000' - but that is a smaller figure than he would usually make on a weekend.

He says a typical Parklife weekend will see him 'open [the restaurant], sit there twiddling my thumbs, give staff a day off, and friends come in'.

Johnny added: "The police say we need bouncers - but I'm not going to pay for bouncers. We've not had any trouble when Parklife is on."

In the first few years of Parklife at Heaton Park, Johnny says there were 'girls behind the restaurant p***ing and s***ing', but barriers have since resolved that.

Parklife organisers say more than 2.8km of fencing and barriers are installed in the surrounding area to protect homes and businesses, while there are 118 toilets and 38 urinals on key walking routes to and from the park.

There is also a dedicated cleaning team - with 28 litter pickers working from midday to 2am, plus a road sweeper, a jet washing team and 156 large bins.

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While Parklife weekend is unlikely to give his business a boost, Johnny has more optimism for the Oasis shows.

"I'm going to make as much money as I can," he said. "I'm going to serve alcohol and food to 1am, my premises licence says I am legally allowed to do that."

Joseph Holt - which runs pubs including the Ostrich Inn, the Woodthorpe Hotel and the Welcome Inn on Bury Old Road - shares that optimism ahead of a busy few weeks.

Mark Norbury, director of pubs at Joseph Holt, says the pubs near Heaton Park 'relish the buzz' of events like Parklife and Oasis, describing them as the 'ideal setting' to soak up the atmosphere.

"Our Joseph Holt pubs are deeply rooted in their communities, so even for those without tickets, there's still a way to join the celebration," he said.

"For example, we’re hosting special Oasis parties at the Ostrich, the Woodthorpe, and the Welcome - all perfect spots to soak up the atmosphere."

Around the corner from Bury Old Road, Imran Ghani runs the Prestwich Multisaver shop on Whittaker Lane, where the 48-year-old says traffic restrictions can affect business - with Bury Old Road fully closed and Whittaker Lane restricted.

"It used to get busy," he said. "Now they close the road, they put barriers up. They came and told us to put extra staff on, but if they have the barriers up, what's the point of hiring more staff?"

Despite his concerns over trade, Imran still welcomes the events taking place near to his shop.

"People will moan at anything," he said. "I think it's good for Prestwich, it's good for Manchester. There is revenue for taxis, for shops. I'd say it's good for business, good for the community."

What the authorities say

Greater Manchester Police, Parklife organisers and both Bury and Manchester councils say they work together to make sure the events run smoothly, with as much support to local residents as possible.

A Heaton Park Event Community Consultation Group - including residents, councillors and partners from Manchester, Bury and Rochdale councils - meets before and after each event to address concerns, while residents' feedback sessions give locals a chance to meet representatives from Parklife, Manchester council and GMP.

The Parklife Community Fund supports community groups and projects in the surrounding area, with almost £400,000 raised since 2017 for projects supporting young people, parks and open spaces.

A GMP spokesperson said: "Parklife is Manchester’s biggest music festival, and we want all those who attend to enjoy it. Our main priority, as always, is to ensure the safety of everyone attending, and work with event organisers to minimise disruption to local communities.

"Our officers will be in and around Heaton Park and will be supporting the event organisers security staff to prevent incidents of crime and disorder. Off-site patrols will likewise support with traffic management and policing in the surrounding areas and Manchester city centre.

A Parklife spokesperson said: "In the 12 years that we have called Heaton Park our home the relationship between local residents, authorities and community groups has been paramount to the success of Parklife.

"Each year we work closely with the surrounding community to bring a world-class event to Manchester while minimising disruption.

"Our dedicated Community Impact Team works closely with residents in both the run-up and during the festival to address any concerns - and we encourage residents to contact the team if needed.

"As a festival we are always looking for new ways to grow and evolve that commitment to the Heaton Park community and we’re excited to welcome them and festivalgoers to an unforgettable Parklife 2025 next weekend."

Coun John Hacking, executive member for skills, employment and leisure on Manchester councill, said: "Manchester is known the world over for our fantastic music scene with music tourism bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors into the city every year.

"The additional boost to the city's economy - already one of the fastest growing in Europe - from music fans attending events such as Parklife is huge, and is felt right across the wider hospitality and retail sector, with thousands of pounds spent by them in our hotels, bars, restaurants and shops.

"We have a tried and tested process in place to support the planning and delivery of major music events in Heaton Park, which draws on experience and lessons learnt from more than ten years of hosting Parklife there. This includes working closely with organisers, promoters, key agency partners and others to ensure robust tailored measures are in place across every aspect of the event - from travel and transport to and from, to ensuring a safe environment for those attending.

"We also hold regular discussions with local residents' groups, and detailed plans are implemented to help reduce the impact of the concerts on the local community. Throughout the Parklife weekend and during the Oasis concerts we will also have a dedicated community impact team monitoring and managing any concerns that may come in through social media, online, or via the telephone hotline set up for local residents."

A spokesperson for Bury council said: "We are working closely with Manchester city council, event organisers and partner agencies to ensure that our residents can enjoy the Oasis gigs and events at Heaton Park this summer with minimal disruption and as much support as possible.

"We will be keeping all our residents up to date with the plans for the concerts in the coming weeks once we have the details finalised in agreement with Manchester city council, GMP and all partner agencies.

"All local councillors are continually in discussion to ensure we can provide the best support as possible to our Prestwich residents and businesses.”

Members of security and cleansing teams, plus GMP and local authority staff, will be based in the area during events to respond to concerns raised by residents - while issues can be raised to the Community Impact Taskforce online or by calling 0161 883 1962.