Ark nightclub on Deansgate Locks announces shock closure

Its owner says the business is ‘no longer commercially viable’

One of the last two remaining nightclubs on Deansgate Locks will soon close – delivering another hammer blow for the once-thriving nightlife strip. The owner of Ark Manchester says it is sadly ‘no longer commercially viable’.

The venue had been a fixture on Deansgate Locks for around 12 years, at the former Missoula site. It previously stood alongside neighbours including The Comedy Store, Revolution and Lola Lo.

The row of clubs, set on the other side of the Rochdale Canal from Whitworth Street West, was previously one of the city’s busiest nightlife hotspots. But following a raft of closures in recent years, only Ark and Popworld now remain, with both businesses open on Friday and Saturday nights.

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And soon Popworld will stand alone on the Deansgate Locks nightlife development, with Ark Manchester’s closure confirmed by owner Stonegate Group. A date for the closure is yet to be confirmed, but it is understood to be within weeks.

A spokesperson for Stonegate told the Manchester Evening News: “The hospitality sector continues to face significant challenges. After careful consideration, and despite our best efforts, Ark Manchester is no longer commercially viable and we have taken the difficult decision to close the venue.

“Our priority is to support our hard‑working team during this time, and we would like to thank them for their commitment and dedication. We would also like to thank our guests and the local community for their support over the years.”

Last year the M.E.N. explored the decline of Deansgate Locks, which was transformed into a nightlife destination in 2000. A shift in nightlife habits, the cost of living crisis and issues with damp in the Grade II-listed structure were all cited as reasons why the strip has struggled in the last few years.