Manchester’s Hatch to close to make way for new ownership
The Hatch retail and leisure space in Manchester is set to close as part of proposals to bring a new developer to the site.
Developer Bruntwood has announced that the venue on the Oxford Road Corridor will close at the end of September, making way for leisure group STACK to take over the site.
Since opening in 2017, Hatch has provided a space for Manchester-based independent businesses to innovate and grow.
A joint planning application is currently in progress which will see STACK create a permanent offering with a larger footprint at the site.
STACK plans to bring together a mix of street food operators and bars set around a central plaza, with a stage and giant screen providing a full programme of live entertainment.
The chain creates retail and leisure hubs out of shipping containers and empty properties, currently operating sites in Newcastle and Seaburn in Sunderland. STACK is also developing hubs in Durham, Whitley Bay, Bishop Auckland, Middlesbrough, Lincoln, Northampton, and Carlisle, along with a new home in Tyneside.
Peter Bearpark, asset management director at Bruntwood, said: “We are incredibly proud of what we accomplished at Hatch. Originally conceived as an idea for how to utilise unused space while Circle Square was in development, it has been a success in terms of the vision we set out for it – supporting start-up businesses, allowing brands to experiment, grow and thrive, and creating a place for people to enjoy excellent food, drink and shopping.
“It’s always hard to say goodbye to a site that we are proud of, but now is the right time for Stack to take it to the next stage in its development.”
Neill Winch, chief executive of STACK, added: “This location is the perfect fit for us, and we look forward to building on the great work Hatch has already done and taking it to the next level under the STACK brand.
“STACK is already a proven concept which has had huge success in its native North East, in both Sunderland and Newcastle and is currently developing a whole host of new sites across the country. It operates as both a visitor attraction and a much-loved facility for local residents and we look forward to showing Manchester what we have to offer.”