The last remaining nightclubs on Manchester's Deansgate Locks, Ark and Popworld, have confirmed they will close for good on Sunday, July 19, 2026, leaving the once-thriving leisure strip completely empty for the first time in 26 years. The closures mark the end of an era for the 12 former railway arches that housed popular bars and clubs since their transformation in the early 2000s.
Council Seeks Urgent Meeting with Owners
City centre spokesperson Councillor Pat Karney has called for an urgent meeting with the owners' representatives to discuss the future of the site. "We can't let this important area of the city centre go derelict and die," he told the Manchester Evening News. "It's a really bad advert for the city - we don't want to see it stay empty and derelict."
The Stonegate Group, which operates both Ark and Popworld, announced the closures citing that the venues are "no longer commercially viable." In a statement, they said: "The hospitality sector continues to face significant challenges. After careful consideration, and despite our best efforts, Ark & Popworld Manchester are no longer commercially viable and we have taken the difficult decision to close the venues." They added that their priority is supporting their staff and thanked guests and the local community for their support.
Empty Stretch for 18 Months
Ark and Popworld had been the only tenants on Deansgate Locks for the past 18 months, following the closure of other venues including The Comedy Store, Revolution, El Diablo, and Lola Lo's. Many of the old bar names have remained above the arches for years, contributing to the increasingly desolate appearance of the Locks.
Councillor Karney acknowledged the legal complexities involved with the properties but stressed the need for action. "There are a lot of legal issues involved in the properties but we can't let this important area of the city centre go derelict and die. I'll be meeting with the Schroders team [the owners' representatives] as well as Transport for Greater Manchester to see if we can get some common ground among them. It's not going to be easy from all sides."
Damp Issues and Planning Applications
Ongoing problems with damp at the former railway arches, which sit beneath the tram tracks and Deansgate station, have plagued the site. Listed Building Consent was granted in August 2024 for repair works to control water ingress from the Metrolink station above, but it is unclear if those works were completed. A new application for repair works was lodged in March 2026 and is still under consideration by planning officials.
Councillor Karney noted: "They were never designed to have bars underneath them, so I do understand there are issues, but we can't just ignore it, we need to see action."
Council's Position: 'We Want to See the Locks Come Back to Life'
A Manchester City Council spokesperson confirmed their stance: "Deansgate Locks was once a thriving part of our city centre's nighttime economy and given its prime location and iconic history, we want to see the Locks come back to life. A key issue that has affected the Lock's venues is water entering the arched structure. A planning application has been submitted to the Council on proposals to manage the problem. While we understand the current issues need to be resolved, we look forward to understanding the long-term plan for the site by the owner to bring the venues back into active use as soon as possible."
Representatives for the landlords of Deansgate Locks have been contacted for comment but have not yet responded.
