Embassy Club set for wrecking ball

Manchester City Council is close to a deal to purchase Bernard Manning’s former comedy club, which it wants to replace with a health centre as Harpurhey regeneration plans fall into place.

The local authority said that discussions are entering their final stage for the Rochdale Road club’s purchase, after its current owner approached MCC looking to sell.

Once finalised, the council intends to develop a new-build health centre and hub for the residents of Harpurhey, a project tying into the already announced regeneration framework for the area, which features 300+ homes for local people and improved local amenities.

In addition, the recently announced Pride in Place project will delivery £20m to Harpurhey over the course of the next 10 years.

Any proposed development is likely to include the land already owned by MCC adjacent to the club along Rochdale Road, meaning that it will act as a gateway to the wider Harpurhey area.

MCC said that this also forms part of the core tenets of the Making Manchester Fairer programme, a city-wide investment plan to improve health outcomes throughout Manchester and end health inequality.

Cllr Gavin White, executive member for housing and development at the council, said: “Whilst we are still finalising the plans for the final purchase of this site, it sends out a message that we as a council are committed to investing in our communities and improving health across the city.

“Providing high quality and accessible healthcare is vital. By centring them in the heart of our communities we are making it easier for people to see their GP, a practice nurse or to access a range of services that will improve their lives in the long run.

“We are excited to be able to bring forward this development, and to keep our residents in Harpurhey updated as it progresses.”

Since becoming Leader of the council, Cllr Bev Craig has made a point of stressing how the local authority is keen to support areas beyond the core and make Manchester a more equitable city, as pointed out in this April 2025 Place interview.

In that vein, this year has also seen regeneration proposals for Moston and Wythenshawe gather pace, while the council has cleared funding to recruit regeneration officers focused on Longsight, Levenshulme, Northenden and Cheetham Hill.