SANKEYS is as much a part of Manchester’s history as that club beginning with H that the editor won't let us mention as people keep going on and on about it.
In otherwords Sankeys is an integral part of the Manchester club scene. A club that's been fighting a financial and legal battle since it announced its closure back in April and is now set to reopen.
"I'm just really happy for Manchester that Sankeys is returning to its spiritual home."
“We honestly didn't know whether the club was ever going to open again when we shut back in May,” said Sankeys director David Vincent.
“We had to overcome various major financial difficulties caused by certain elements, and even a court case to win the club back. When I said the club was closing back in April I always said the club would be shutting down indefinitely and did not know what the future held.”
“There seems to be some confusion about what the term ‘indefinitely’ means. The definition is that it is not within a definite time or clear time period. Unfortunately some people like to manipulate my words to their own stupid gains or clearly do not understand English. I'm just really happy for Manchester that Sankeys is returning to its spiritual home."
David lost us there in a labyrinth of definites and indefinites. But what we did gather was that it's reopening. Definitely.
The club’s history dates back to 1994 when it first began as Sankeys Soap before rebranding in 2006 to just Sankeys. The venue boasts a main basement room equipped with an LED light system, a smaller Spektrum room, outdoor terrace and a bar with attached cinema and even a man-made beach featuring 50 tonnes of sand.
Sankeys director David Vincent... and a vest
When Sankeys announced their closure back in April many were dismayed to see such a Manchester clubbing institution closing down. Many speculated whether the closure was indeed a marketing ploy, which Vincent firmly denied at the time: “I have decided to close Sankeys in Manchester indefinitely this summer as I focus my attention on our third year in Ibiza,” came his firm response to such suspicions.
He did leave some clues as to a future in Manchester, coyly stating: “Who knows when we will be back in Manchester, or if we ever will be back, or what comes next in this great city that I love. All I can say right now about what happens next is, quite simply, watch this space.”
Sankeys Basement
Six months later and the doors are to reopen with Friday 20 and Saturday 21 December hosting two nights of celebrations as many welcome back a favourite clubbing haunt. Each night will host eight hours of music from some of the best names in house.
In 2010 the venue claimed the 'best club in the world' title as voted for by DJ magazine readers, beating rivals such as Fabric and Ministry of Sound in London and Pacha in Ibiza.
The (re)opening weekend line-up will see old and new names from the clubbing scene such as Darius Syrossian, Andrea Olivia and former regular Lee Burridge perform, with more special guests still to be announced.
Sankeys, Radium Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 6JG.
Tickets for the opening weekend are available from £15 and can be found through the Sankeys facebook page.
Website: www.sankeys.info
Facebook: www.facebook.com/officialsankeys
Twitter: @sankeysclub
