Businesses in Manchester are rejoicing at the prospect of increased revenues following the announcement that plans for Britain’s ‘largest nightclub’ have been approved.
The Mayfield Depot Partnership wants to use the disused city-centre railway station as a space for arts and music events and club nights and have confirmed it is in talks with the Warehouse Project to stage events.
Manchester City Council licensing committee has granted a licence with 79 conditions attached.
Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester City Council’s city centre spokesman said: “The 79 conditions include a limit on 25 DJ-led events per year and safeguards relating to CCTV, regular consultation with responsible authorities and fire safety.”
Manchester superclub the Warehouse Project is expected take up residency in the Fairfield Street venue and local businesses have praised the likely move.
The manager of Monroes pub said: “It helps because this end of Manchester has been neglected for so many years.
“Everything that seems to happen in Manchester seems to start at the end of Piccadilly station and goes down towards Spinningfields.”
The Warehouse Project came under scrutiny this year after Nick Bonnie, 30, from Gloucestershire died after allegedly ingesting contaminated drugs and a 32-year old female clubber fell into a coma just one week later.
However, the manager from Monroes believes that if it is run well then there will be no issue for the area or businesses.
“I mean when it was at Store Street for all those years I don’t ever remember any problems with it,” he explained.
“We don’t have any clients that come in here that take drugs. Sadly we live in a world full of it so we just have to watch out for it like everyone else.
“For both ourselves and The Bulls Head it will be good because it’s bringing more life down this end providing of course that’s its run as it was last time.”
Campaigners had started circulating leaflets around the city centre opposing the move – even before any announcements had been made and some like Chris Johnson, 32, a bar man from Bury feel that it may be damaging to the area.
“I imagine like many of the larger Manchester clubs it won’t attract the right type of person and won’t be a particularly safe place to go,” he said.
Image courtesy of Shaun Murphy, with thanks
