91Èȱ¬

Inside Sankeys Soap

All washed up

Why has Sankeys Soap closed?

Sankeys Soap (pic: Shirlaine Forrest)

"It’s closing because we’ve had it for six years and as it stands, we’ve taken it as far as we can go with it. We’ve had every big name in there, there’s no other DJ you could put in there, so it’s time for a change, time for a new chapter."

Why are you leaving the club?

"When we started Sankeys Soap in September 2000, it was always a five year business plan. My intention was after that period to sell it. Obviously, six years have passed and I should have kept to my promise last year, but the time is right now. I’ve got new projects that I want to work on and I need to move away from the club to do those things."

Sankeys Soap has been very successful over the years. What have been your highlights?

Bands like Mogwai have also played Sankeys Soap

"For me, the highlight was actually outside of Sankeys, just down the road. In August 2003, we did the first legal warehouse party in the UK for ten years, which attracted 11,000 people and it was just a raw warehouse.

"Apart from that, actually in the club, Danny Tenaglia’s 12 hour set was possibly the best night."

You have had all the superstar DJs perform at the club. Was the idea always to go for the big names?

"No, but I do think, because of the location of Sankeys and the lack of anything else like it in Manchester since the Hacienda meant we had to do something special. So we booked the likes of Sasha, Laurent Garnier, Erick Morillo… they’re household names with a huge pull, and we decided that’s what would work for the club."

Sankeys Soap was the first big club to follow the Hacienda in Manchester. What impact do you think it’s had?

"I would never compare Sankeys Soap to the Hacienda, because it’s two different levels, but Sankeys has been a part of everybody’s life for the last six years. I know students that have come to Manchester just because Sankeys is there. On a national scale, Sankeys has flown the flag for Manchester as regards dance music, so it has been very important."

Will you miss it?

Raising the roof at Sankeys Soap

"I’ve never been a dance music fan. If you get in my car, I’ve got two Morrissey CDs, a Smiths album, a Kaiser Chiefs one… I understand why people like dance music. There’s a family bond that Sankeys has always created, which has been fantastic.

"Ask me in a month’s time. It’s very emotional, leaving, but I won’t miss the late nights or the politics. I’ll miss the friends I’ve made over the years, but I’m confident our paths will cross again soon."

Sankeys Soap is now closed. The club will re-open, newly refurbished and newly directed under the soapless title of a simple Sankeys towards the end of July.