Soho House Manchester opening looks set to be delayed … again
Global private members club Soho House appears to be no nearer to an opening date for its Manchester site on the top of the old Granada Television building on Quay Street.
Work is commencing on the Mollie’s hotel and diner, a brand linked to Soho House Group founder Nick Jones, which will take up most of the building, but according to those familiar with the project a 2025 opening is now wildly optimistic.
According to the Soho House website the Manchester launch date is still listed as 2025.
“Some mavericks declare later this year, but who knows?” said an informant familiar with the project.
A spokesperson for Soho House told TheBusinessDesk.com they were unable to give an exact date for the launch, but that details would be announced shortly.
“We don’t have a specific date I can give you. As you know there’s work going on on site, but due to various delays and things going on, we haven’t been able to confirm a date to our members yet, but that being said, in the next couple of weeks, we should have more of a substantial update to give.”
TheBusinessDesk.com understands that demand for Soho House membership is “off the scale” and that the membership of international jet setters who come to Manchester on business are also eagerly anticipating the opening of a familiar bolt hole in the heart of the city.
However, typical of comments around Manchester’s business community is that private members clubs don’t work and that the concept would only appeal to “gullible socialites who spend thousands to buy new clothes for the emperor?” according to one tech investor who spoke to TheBusinessDesk.com today.
The Mollie’s hotel opening does look like it is progressing, however. Currently it has two UK locations open (Bristol and Oxford), and has this year recruited Matt Bell as CEO from hip hotel brand CitizenM as the brand prepares to open its third site in Manchester.
On his appointment Bell said the opening would be in 2025.
“This year will see the opening of the first city centre Mollies as part of the redevelopment of the Old Granada Studios in Manchester, an exciting time in the evolution of the Mollie’s brand,” he said.
A burst of publicity from developer Allied London for its St. John’s neighbourhood says the 14 acre historic former Granada Studios site, will blend “cutting-edge culture, pioneering enterprise and next-generation living. It’s not just a place, it’s an experience and a future city blueprint.”
It only describes “the highly anticipated arrival of … Mollie’s and Soho House,” and its spokesperson told TheBusinessDesk.com: “We still have no official dates for the opening of those particular venues at this stage. We are hoping to have news on this soon.”
The first opening date for the prestigious club was 2022, but that target was missed due to “unforeseen construction delays”.
The new Soho House Manchester will be spread across the floors of the old television studios and include a gym, rooftop pool, live music space and a members’ restaurant.
There will be 23 bedrooms on the sixth floor, plus a two-bedroom private apartment and an events space on the seventh floor.
Membership costs £2,950 a year for access to over 40 Soho Houses globally, and £1,925 a year for access to Soho House Manchester only.
But in the annual results announced in March, no mention was made of an imminent Manchester launch, despite Soho House & Co Inc despite successfully opening three new Soho Houses in 2024: Portland (Oregon, USA) in March, Sao Paulo (Brasil) in June, and Mews House (London) in September. Additionally, Scorpios Bodrum (Turkey) was opened in June.
The company reported a total of 45 Houses worldwide by the end of 2024. Membership numbers continued to grow, with Soho House members reaching 212,447, a 9.6% increase year-over-year.
In December 2024 the New York stock market listed company received an offer from a third-party consortium to take the business private for $9.00 per share.
