Thousands sign petition to save Antwerp Mansion from closure by council
| 26th February 2018
A petition to save Antwerp Mansion from closure by Manchester City Council has attracted thousands of signatures in just days.
Antwerp Mansion announced the shock closure via Twitter and Facebook during the weekend – and the news was greeted with sadness and anger about yet another venue closing.
More info to follow. pic.twitter.com/Y8piEGYX2A
— Antwerp Mansion (@AntwerpMansion) February 24, 2018
Antwerp Mansion is a converted Victorian mansion on Kent Road West in Rusholme, South Manchester, and has become a firm favourite with clubbers and live music fans. It has events listed into April but the announcement could mean it closes on Saturday 24 March.
Rusholme councillor Rabnawaz Akbar said: “We are really sad to see it close because around six or seven years ago the local residents and local councillors, including myself, were fully supportive of the initial proposals and plans but unfortunately, those proposals and plans did not materialise as we were led to believe.
“In 2017, Greater Manchester Police figures show that there was a 180% increase in ‘theft from persons’ compared to 2016 in Rusholme and a significant part of the increase was concentrated around Antwerp Mansion.
“Aside from the crime and disorder issues, local residents have reported an increase in anti-social behaviour well into the night and early morning as well as an increase in noise nuisance and litter associated with the attendees at the venue.
“The cumulative impact of this has been that, despite several opportunities afforded to the management to addresss these issues, the management have lost the support and goodwill of local residents.”
On Monday 26 February the venue released this statement on their Facebook page:
VENUE STATEMENTAntwerp Mansion will be forced to close next month on the orders of Manchester City Council Planning…
Posted by Antwerp Mansion on Monday, February 26, 2018
We fully endorse this online petition.
Please sign and share.
Thank you, AM.https://t.co/PICNhEOGZH
— Antwerp Mansion (@AntwerpMansion) February 25, 2018
Viva writer Abi White said: “Anyone else wanna join me when I chain myself to Antwerp mansion in protest.”
Anyone else wanna join me when I chain myself to Antwerp mansion in protest
— Abi (@acwhte) February 24, 2018
Parklife and Warehouse Project boss Sacha Lord-Marchionne tweeted: “Very sad to hear about the impending closure of Antwerp Mansion. Yet another loss for Manchester’s nighttime economy #SaveNightlife.”
Thank you. pic.twitter.com/J7Amz449gc
— Antwerp Mansion (@AntwerpMansion) February 25, 2018
Been resident DJ here for a while now. What a sad day. @AndyBurnhamGM stop killing Manchester nightlife!!!!!!
— DJ Hyphen (@djhyphenuk) February 24, 2018
I've been a resident DJ at @AntwerpMansion for 2 years, in this time I've played an array of music from funk, soul, disco to house and drum & bass.
I've had some of the best nights of my life at this venue, both dancing and DJing.
I'm incredibly sad to see it go.
— Cameron Rawson (@CameronRawson) February 24, 2018
Forthcoming events at Antwerp Mansion include Colour Splash on Tuesday 27 February, Better in the 90s on Wednesday 28 February and Tim Westwood on Tuesday 6 March:
One-off experience – Colour Splash hits Antwerp Mansion This Tuesday!
Event: https://t.co/pGuO1c5zxp pic.twitter.com/7quBD7MiRu
— Antwerp Mansion (@AntwerpMansion) February 23, 2018
Better in the 90's is back on Wednesday 28th February, all the 90's under one roof.
Event: https://t.co/3n1Vfw3sWO pic.twitter.com/bZ0onyDIUm
— Antwerp Mansion (@AntwerpMansion) February 21, 2018
Tim Westwood joins us on Tuesday 6th March for Lean & Bop.
Event: https://t.co/khA8Sq3SXa pic.twitter.com/hnu94bHrEa
— Antwerp Mansion (@AntwerpMansion) February 23, 2018
Here’s some of Viva’s previous articles on Antwerp Mansion:
http://vivamanchester.co.uk/zed-bias-rocks-rusholmes-antwerp-mansion/