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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Elly Blake

Dave confirms postponed O2 gig dates as venue to reopen after Storm Eunice damage

Rapper Dave has confirmed his rescheduled gig dates at the O2 Arena after the venue was forced to shut when its roof was damaged in Storm Eunice.

Dave took to Twitter to reveal the postponed dates which were supposed to take place earlier this week on Monday and Tuesday.

Gigs as part of his We’re All Alone in This Together UK Tour will now be held at the stadium on February 28 and March 1.

Dave announced the changes on Twitter. He added: “I’m genuinely so sorry I had to move these dates.”

Tickets remain valid for the new dates and further details will be sent directly to ticketholders, a spokesman for the O2 Arena said.

The iconic concert venue said earlier this week it would open on Friday, February 25 following a short closure as it worked to repair the storm-damaged roof.

A scheduled gig by UB40 featuring Ali Campbell will go ahead on the night it reopens.

Meanwhile, a spokesman confirmed Matchroom Boxing presents Okolie vs Cieslak on February 27, Simply Red on March 2-3, The Lumineers on March 4 and Davido on March 5 will go ahead as planned.

Its smaller venue, indigo at The O2, will reopen for live events from February 26.

Some of the roof damage caused by Storm Eunice will still be visible while the venue looks for a permanent solution, the venue said.

However, it said the damage was limited to an isolated area within the O2’s shopping area Icon Outlet which will remain shut while essential works continue.

This means 60 shops will be closed for the forseeable future.

The arena in North Greenwich was forced to close after it was severely damaged by high winds as London battled a rare red weather warning but in place by the Met Office.

Shocked staff have told of their horror after witnessing two sections of the roof tearing and leaving everything “completely exposed”.

One employee told The Mirror the O2 – which hosts live music and hosts numerous bars and restaurants – could be closed “for a few months”.

Around 1,000 people were evacuated as firefighters raced to the venue to ensure “no one was injured by any further falling debris”.

However, despite fears the venue could be closed for longer, it will partially reopen a week after Storm Eunice.

Steve Sayer, VP & General Manager of The O2 said: “Confirming our reopening after such a short closure is a huge testament to everyone who is working so hard to get us open again.

“Safety will always be our number one priority and as a venue, we have always been proud of the standards we hold and delivering a best in class fan and artist experience.”

In footage shared on social media, the O2’s white roof covering could be seen flapping in the high winds after parts of it were torn away from supporting ribs during the 122mph storm last Friday.

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