Manchester’s Partisan Collective DIY venue is closing down

Manchester-based cooperative space Partisan is closing down at the end of this month.

The team behind “Salford’s queer-friendly, inclusive and accessible venue & community space” confirmed the news in an Instagram post earlier this week, writing that the lease on the building runs out on 31st July. “This wasn’t an easy decision,” they wrote. “But due to rising costs and the demands of running a full-time club, those members who came to our last general meeting collectively decided to close the space.”

The cooperative group hope to continue organising and putting events on elsewhere in the future. Their post continued: “This isn’t the end. We now need you more than ever. Without this physical location, we’re worried about the energy, passion and commitment behind our seven-year-old DIY collective getting lost. To be frank, we’re worried about Partisan ceasing to exist.”

People who are interested in supporting Partisan as it takes its next steps are encouraged to get involved in the next general meeting, which will be held on 16th July. 

Partisan launched in 2016, and has since hosted numerous of club nights and live gigs, as well as local community support events. Objekt, Kiernan Laveaux and Bruce are among the DJs who have played special parties at its space.

Earlier this year, Music Venue Trust revealed 2023 was the UK’s “worst year for venue closures” with 125 grassroots spaces being lost.