Manchester club South closes after 27 years

South, one of Manchester’s key music spaces, has suddenly closed after nearly three decades in operation.

South’s landlord had forfeited the club’s lease and is planning to redevelop the space, according to the Manchester Evening News. Word of the sudden forced closure spread when promoter and resident Clint Boon tweeted that his 4th June Boon night would serve as the club’s closing party “due to issues beyond our control (myself, the management and the owners)”. 

Ahead of the party, South’s social media confirmed the final dance on Instagram. “After 27 years, our lease at South Club has ended, the landlord wishes to redevelop it,” the post reads. “To all the DJs, promoters, staff and of course customers who have made this club amazing over the last 27 years — we salute you…”

Tokyo Industries managing director Aaron Mellor told the Manchester Evening News that residential development in the area has led to issues with the landlord and locals. “During the last few years more and more residential apartments have surrounded us on South King Street, which led to Noise Abatement notices and adaptation after adaptation to try and box out the sound issue,” he said. “Most recently the demolition and redevelopment of the former Pizza Express building into a hotel has closed off our adjacent street moving our smoking area back onto South King Street, returning more noise issues from the residents overlooking that street. We’ve become landlocked by residential development.” 

Mellor added that South’s staple events and employees would find new homes at Tokyo Industries’ other local venues Deaf Institute, Gorilla and Factory.  

South was founded in 1995 by former Haçienda promoter Paul Cons as a contrast to the rise in superclubs. In 2001, Tokyo Industries took over the space, which got a redesign by another Haçienda crew member, designer Ben Kelly.