New Century is set to introduce Locker this autumn, a 450-capacity live music and events venue that will form part of the next chapter for the ground floor of the iconic building. Guests can continue to enjoy New Century Kitchen and its food traders in its current layout on the ground floor over the summer when there will be lots of activity including World Cup screenings.
What to expect at Locker
Locker is scheduled to open in the autumn and has been designed to naturally flow with the venue’s wider offering bringing a new intimate grassroots live music venue to the city. New Century Kitchen’s big beautiful bar will remain in place alongside one central food concept.
Beyond the bar on the other side of a newly installed sound-proofed partition will sit Locker, a separate space that will support Manchester’s thriving live music scene and provide a vital new platform for emerging artists as well as affordable opportunities to enjoy live shows.
The new venue will host a broad programme spanning Manchester-based and country-wide talent with a wide array of genres from rock, jazz and hip-hop to electronic music and beyond.
Stylistically, the new space will remain true to New Century’s recognisable mid-century aesthetic, while introducing a high-spec live setup set to be among the best in Manchester for a venue of its size.
The reconfiguration will begin later this year, with the current food traders at New Century Kitchens departing for exciting new chapters and moving out on a staggered basis over the summer.
Abby Mudge, MD of New Century commented: “Locker aims to reimagine our ground floor in a way that enables us to support grassroots talent further, as well as providing independent hospitality for which New Century is known and loved.
“Our loyal guests will still be able to enjoy the same look and feel, the same great team, our beautiful bar and an exciting new food concept throughout the day and into the evening. We’re proud to be creating more space in the city for emerging artists and promoters in a building that lives and breathes music.
“Locker will also provide even more experience and opportunities for the students who call our building home at dBs Institute, supporting New Century’s musical ecosystem. We can’t wait to welcome Manchester to Locker in the Autumn!”