Manchester venue Stage & Radio under threat from neighbouring flat development

Manchester venue Stage & Radio has come under threat as the city council proposes developments to the local area, with plans to build over 100 flats.

The grassroots venue, which is also home to beloved community radio station CROP Radio, called for support from the public earlier today (May 29).

"We're urgently asking for the public to support Stage & Radio by voicing concerns by June 10, 2026, about a future development going up within a few meters of the venue," they said via Instagram.

They explained that a planning application has been submitted by Manchester City Council to its planning department, with a proposal to build 126 flats “just a few meters” away from the Postal Street venue.

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"We’re shaken by the long-term impact this could have on both future residents and the venue due to the likelihood of complaints," they said. "Development that is not up to scratch is not fair for anyone involved."

They argued that the Agent of Change principle "exists for a reason" – a planning policy stating that developers must be responsible for their impact on existing neighbours.

Stage & Radio first opened in the Northern Quarter in 2016, though the long-running venue has existed as a live music space for decades, first opening as a jazz club in 1946.

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"Ahead of the application going live, Stage & Radio, with support from Music Venue Trust, have been in discussions with This City and their appointed acoustics consultants," the venue said.

"If future residents AND the venue can’t be protected, then residential accommodation should not be built in this location at all," they added, urging its community to voice their concerns to the council.

Despite fears over the proposed development, Leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, affirmed that Stage & Radio is “not under threat on my watch”.

"I’ve offered to meet with the venue operators personally to give my commitment that venues like theirs help create the artists of the future and make our music scene what it is today," she said.

Read Stage & Radio's full post below.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Associate Digital Editor