The owners of Deansgate Locks have faced sharp criticism for allowing the iconic nightlife strip to deteriorate into what is now described as an 'eyesore'. Bev Craig, the Labour candidate for Greater Manchester Mayor and leader of Manchester City Council, has called for greater accountability as the final two venues, Popworld and Ark, prepare to close their doors on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
End of an Era for Manchester's Nightlife Hub
Deansgate Locks, a series of former railway arches along Whitworth Street West between Deansgate and Albion Street, was once Manchester's most famous nightclub destination. During the 2000s, the strip was packed with revellers and taxis bumper-to-bumper into the early hours. However, in recent years, it has become a shadow of its former self, with all bars now closing.
Factors cited for the decline include shifting nightlife habits, pressures on the hospitality industry, the cost of living crisis, and persistent damp issues in the Grade II-listed structure. Plans were previously submitted to Manchester City Council for repair works, but progress has been slow.
Bev Craig's Call for Accountability
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Craig emphasised that Manchester's nightlife sector has 'never been as vibrant', with more venues and businesses across the city centre than in years. She noted that when she moved to Manchester in 2003, Deansgate Locks was the go-to destination, but now people frequent a wider range of locations, including neighbourhoods and local towns.
'I think what does need to happen in Deansgate Locks is the owners of that building have allowed decline there for quite some time,' Craig said. 'I've been working as the council leader with local councillors around a bit of accountability in not allowing those buildings to sit empty. I think there's some great things with the right level of will and the right level of appetite from landowners they could do there and I think you could make that thriving.'
She added: 'It needs the owners of those buildings to recognise things change. When was the last time many people went for a night out on Deansgate Locks and contrast that with the last time they went for a drink or a night out? It's not that people have stopped drinking or having a night out. It's that people have stopped going to Deansgate Locks.'
Comparison to City's Wider Nightlife Success
Craig highlighted that Manchester's night-time economy is stronger than London's, with residents spending more of their income on going out. 'We've never seen a city centre as busy from tourist numbers, footfall numbers, night out numbers, and the amount of spend that Manchester bars receive per head of the population,' she said.
She downplayed the significance of Deansgate Locks' decline, stating: 'It's that a little strip of four bars have changed and I wouldn't read too much into Deansgate Locks when a private company owns a couple of units they could simply do up and rent out for another business use.'
Owners and Leaseholders
The owners of Deansgate Locks are listed as 'SWIPACS1' in planning documents, understood to be Scottish Widows, the insurance giant involved in pension funds and property management. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has attempted to contact the owners but received no response. Stonegate Group, the leaseholders for Popworld and Ark, are not the owners and have not commented.
