Manchester’s Gorilla and Deaf Institute music venues saved from permanent closure


Live At Leeds 2017 (Gary Mather for Live4ever)

Gary Mather for Live4ever




Less than a week after it looked like the coronavirus lockdown had claimed their futures, Manchester live music hubs the Gorilla and Deaf Institute have been saved from permanent closure thanks to local entertainments company Tokyo Industries.

The Manchester Evening News reports that Tokyo will add the Gorilla and Deaf Institute to its current portfolio of Manchester clubs which includes The Factory and South, with the aim of keeping the two venues, ‘operating in much the same way as they have done in the past.

“These are extremely difficult times for all grassroots music venues around the UK,” Aaron Mellor, founder of Tokyo Industries, said. “It’s vital venues like Gorilla and The Deaf Institute are kept alive, the cultural fabric of our city centres depends on venues like these.”

“Over the weekend we have put together some great ideas with SSD Concerts and Tim Burgess to help save both venues and their existing operating style in a post Covid world.”


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