The team behind the Virgin Money Unity Arena have opened up on the challenges of hosting the UK’s only major summer concert series of 2020.

Billed as the country’s first socially distanced live music arena, the new outdoor venue’s run of 20-plus dates at Newcastle Racecourse is due to kick off this week with the first of two sold-out shows by hometown favourite Sam Fender.

The gigs are being staged by North East-based promoter SSD Concerts, alongside production company Engine ...