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Ark Manchester, on Deansgate Locks, will soon close its doors for the last time

Greater Manchester residents have said its 'sad' and a 'shame' that one of the last two remaining nightclubs on Deansgate Locks is set to close for good.

The owner of Ark Manchester has said it is sadly 'no longer commercially viable', and will be closing soon. The venue has been a fixture on Deansgate Locks for around 12 years, at the former Missoula site.

It previously stood alongside neighbours including The Comedy Store, Revolution and Lola Lo. But soon, bar and club Popworld will stand alone on the Deansgate Locks nightlife development, with Ark Manchester's closure confirmed by owner Stonegate Group.

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A date for the closure is yet to be confirmed, but it is understood to be within weeks.

Residents of Greater Manchester have taken to social media to say the closure is 'sad', as it used to be a 'thriving nightlife area'.

Alan Fletcher wrote on Facebook: "Deansgate locks need redeveloping, it's sad as it was a thriving nightlife area in the the 90s & 00s but consumer habits have changed."

John Postlethwaite added: "The demise of Deansgate Locks. Used to be a good night out there."

Another person wrote: "Locks was once the place too go now nothing left probably turn into shops or offices sad really many great night down there."

Alexis Anderson-Jones added: "There’s nothing there anymore. It used to be thriving that end of town," and another said: "It’s such a shame younger people are missing out on social night outs."

A spokesperson for Stonegate told the Manchester Evening News: "The hospitality sector continues to face significant challenges. After careful consideration, and despite our best efforts, Ark Manchester is no longer commercially viable and we have taken the difficult decision to close the venue.

"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."

Last year the M.E.N. explored the decline of Deansgate Locks, which was 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.