The two remaining clubs will close this month, bringing to an end decades of revelry on the once thriving place to be in Manchester
12:14, 10 Jul 2026Updated 13:45, 10 Jul 2026
The final remaining nightclub on Manchester's once thriving nightlife hub Deansgate Locks has today confirmed its closure. Popworld is to follow neighbouring nightclub Ark in hosting its final ever weekend of revels this month.
The closure of the two venues will bring to an end decades of entertainment along the stretch which was at one time THE place to be in the city. The Locks, former railway arches, sit at one of the most iconic entry points to Manchester city centre on the stretch of Whitworth Street West between Deansgate and Albion Street.
Throughout the noughties, Deansgate Locks was known as Manchester's most famous nightclub strip, packed with revellers and taxis bumper to bumper down the street into the early hours.
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In recent years though The Locks had become a shell of its former self. One after another of its most famous tenants annouced their closure - including The Comedy Store, Lola Los and Revolution.
For the past 18 months, only two clubs remained in the arches - the split level Ark and Popworld bars in neighbouring venues.
But now owners The Stonegate Group have confirmed that BOTH will be closing this month. At the weekend the M.E.N. reported on the closure of Ark after 12 years in Manchester, with hopes that Popworld would remain.
But in a statement issued to the M.E.N. on Friday, bar bosses have confirmed those hopes are now over.
A spokesperson for Stonegate 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.
"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.”
Stonegate has now confirmed the date of closure for both venues is just days away. The final weekends for both Popworld and Ark will see their closure on Sunday, July 19.
Last year the M.E.N. reported on the decline of Deansgate Locks, which was first 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.
The issue of water ingress remains a pressing one for the owners of Deansgate Locks.
A planning application, submitted in March, is currently sitting with Manchester Council for listing building consent for the ongoing repairs works to try and prevent water getting into the 19th century brick arches.
Lawyers Schroders act on behalf of the owners, who are listed as "SWIPACS1" in planning documents. The M.E.N. understands this is Scottish Widows, the insurance giant who deal with pension funds and property management.
We have made numerous attempts to contact the owners, but have so far had no response.
The former railway arches frame what has always been considered one of the city's most idyllic locations too - right next to the Rochdale Canal. The Locks sit next to the historic Lock Keepers cottage, which remains open as the bar Lock 91.
But the imminent closures of Ark and Popworld mean the Locks will now lay empty with an uncertain future for another summer.
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