The redevelopment will retain New Century Kitchen’s central bar and introduce a new food concept, while Locker will be located behind a newly installed soundproof partition.

The new venue is expected to host a broad programme spanning rock, jazz, hip-hop, electronic music and other genres, with a particular focus on emerging talent and more affordable live shows.

New Century Managing Director Abby Mudge said the project was designed to strengthen the venue’s support for grassroots talent while maintaining its independent hospitality offer.

“We’re proud to be creating more space in the city for emerging artists and promoters in a building that lives and breathes music,” Mudge said.

Locker will also provide training and work experience opportunities for students from dBs Institute, which is based within the New Century complex.

The Music Venue Trust welcomed the expansion. Jay Taylor, the organisation’s Regional Venues Alliance Coordinator, said the addition of a second 450-capacity grassroots space would create further opportunities for artists, promoters and audiences while strengthening Manchester’s live music infrastructure.

The ground-floor reconfiguration will take place following the departure of New Century Kitchen’s current food traders over the summer.

New Century reopened in Manchester’s NOMA district in 2022 following a major restoration of the historic New Century Hall, which originally opened in the 1960s and has previously hosted artists including Jimi Hendrix, The Kinks and The Rolling Stones.