Iconic Ruby Lounge in Northern Quarter set to close down to make way for new development
- Ruby Lounge closes after being open for 12 years
- Closure had been known 'for some time’
- Follows the theme of small music venues closing in Manchester
Iconic Manchester venue The Ruby Lounge is closing down to make way for a new development of shops and cafes, it has been announced.
The Northern Quarter venue has seen bands like Mumford and Sons and Florence and the Machine play there and was also the backdrop to The Courteeners music video for their 2008 song, Acrylic.
The Ruby Lounge will add to the list of small music venues that have closed down in the city including Dry Bar, Sound control and the Roadhouse.
General manager Will Byers said: “We found out a few years ago, it wasn’t recent. We’ve been under pressure to close for a year’s now so it wasn’t news to us.
“It’s obviously come to a few people as a shock but we knew about it and have come to accept it.”
Mr Byers also said he understood why the venue needed to be closed down: “We don’t want to close, no one ever wants to close, because then you feel like a bit of a failure.
“We’ve accepted and agreed why we need to close, the building is out of date and a bit knackered so it’s fair enough.”
It has been reported that the Ruby Lounge and surrounding shops will be replaced by a £79m new development containing 360 new homes and office and retail space.
CEG Developments are behind the new build which will start in late 2019. The main feature of the new development will be a double height mezzanine offering “a vibrant space for independent cafés, restaurants and shops, providing around 65 jobs”.
CEG said: “This is an exciting regeneration opportunity, delivering a design that is befitting of this gateway site and reflects High Street’s former vibrancy and importance in the city.”