New York-style pizza restaurant, bar and nightclub Stage and Radio has been put on the market.
Housed in a 200-year old block in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, the building has long been a part of the city’s music scene for more than seven decades and now Stage and Radio is on the lookout for a new operator.
Stage and Radio first emerged onto the music scene in 1946 when the legendary promoter Eric Scriven began presenting modern jazz acts at the club.
In 1951 Mr Scriven established Club 43 at the venue, named after its address, 43 Port Street.
In 1998 it hosted bands Muse and Coldplay as part of the In the City Showcase. Coldplay were ‘discovered’ by Debs Wild, a scout for Universal Records, at this gig, leading to them signing their first professional recording contract.
More recently the property traded as Cuba Café, a popular salsa dancing venue, before reverting to the Stage and Radio name in 2016 when the current operators took over.
The venue now operates as a bar, nightclub and restaurant, regularly hosting DJs from around the world as well as live music acts.
Stage and Radio operates from the first two floors and basement of a four-storey building, the upper two floors of which are currently used for storage.
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The restaurant and bar areas can seat up to 80 customers indoors, with an outdoor terrace providing seating for an additional 50 people.
The basement houses Stage and Radio’s nightclub, which can accommodate up to 100 revellers.
The business, which will remain open as usual while a new owner is found, has a licence until 4am and is currently open five days a week.
It is being marketed by Blacks Business Brokers for £299,950 to take over the trading company and lease, plus annual rent of £49,972.
In its most recent financial year Stage and Radio Ltd turned over almost £379,000.
Having run the business successfully for almost four years its current owners now wish to sell to enable them to realise their investment and concentrate on other business interests outside the region.
Callum Pollard, customer services executive at Blacks Business Brokers, said: “It’s a real honour to be marketing such an iconic part of Manchester’s music and nightlife history.
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“This isn’t, though, a business that has been content to bask in its past glories – it’s very much a 21st-century venue, with a décor and fittings to match.
“Stage and Radio is a profitable business with a great reputation but it also has a lot of potential for growth, including possibly expanding into the two upper floors. There is also scope to extend its opening hours and to develop a wider food offering.
“This is a really exciting opportunity for a new operator."
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