Following May’s sudden announcement that Salford’s beloved venue The White Hotel would close in the new year, neighbouring site The Bag Factory has teased on Instagram that the iconic club will survive – in spirit anyway. Managed by The Bag Factory team alongside Strange Art Collective CIC, the Manchester underground landmark is set to open in 2027 under the new name and venture Bastion.
Bastion said on Instagram:
“BASTION
From the team behind @bagfactorymcr.
Supported by the Strange Art Collective CIC.
The underground has a new stronghold.
The gates open 2027.
More soon.”
Company co-director Will Maull said: “It’s really important for us that the space remains independent… We absolutely love what our predecessors have done, and even though we will be doing something completely different, we’re really grateful that the space is going to remain a place that’s really art for art’s sake.”
Co-director Francesca Melia added: “We are extremely excited to show everyone our plans, vision and creativity, and want to say a massive thank you to everyone who is in support we can’t do this without you”.
Dubbed “a fortress of the underground“, the defensive-sounding Bastion is set to revive the heart of the White Hotel, taking its future into the coming years as something completely new.
With no details yet on an opening date – just 2027 – all we can go off is the closure of the existing White Hotel, which will be in January 2027. Some time after that, watch out.
The reputation of the space and community is seemingly in good hands, as The Bag Factory makes for a thriving neighbour in the ‘Strange Quarter‘. With a truly community-focused calendar run by “a few mates trying to support our scene”, The Bag Factory knows what goes into keeping the underground rave scene alive, hosting a packed schedule of events from raves and open deck sessions, to fundraisers and genre celebrations.
We’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for more information, but in the meantime, keep up to date by following the Bastion Instagram.
