Unique York venue to close this month – signing off with a big New Year’s bash

The Malthouse will close its doors on New Year’s Eve, so the message from the team is to enjoy it while it’s still there.

The pop-up project saw a team of York creatives, street food chefs and independent bars take over an empty warehouse – creating an intriguing hive of activity, music, arts and entertainment.

Five weeks into its eight-week lifespan, owner Joe Gardham has today announced that the venue, on The Crescent, will close as he turns his attention to the next Space Invaders venue.

Joe said:

• Space Invaders will always be temporary – the concept wouldn’t work for more than 12 weeks.

  We work with property owners to secure interesting and exciting spaces for short periods of time; transforming vacant, derelict or neglected buildings into spaces that the community can use and enjoy.
  

500 free cups of tea

To date, The Malthouse has welcomed around 2,500 people of all ages and backgrounds.

In five weeks they’ve given away more than 500 free cups of tea, run around 30 art workshops, supported 15 new businesses, provided a home to eight local artists, and given over £150 in grants to local young entrepreneurs to run a micro business for a day.

Joe said:

• Our time at The Malthouse has been such an exciting one, and I’m lucky to have met so many amazing people.

  We took this dusty, grimy old warehouse and turned it into a buzzing, busy, vibrant space full of colour, laughter and creativity.

  This was done on a shoestring budget, with no external funding, and on a not for profit basis – after my staff are paid, all the surplus is reinvested into activities for local children.
  

Pioneering idea

Joe said they set up the Malthouse to fill a gap in the market.

“We set out to create a temporary space in town to test our belief that local people, especially families, are looking for a space to hang out that doesn’t attract alcohol tourism, supports local businesses, and is a sanctuary for children and young people,” he said.

Now the concept has been proved, it’s time to find a new venue.

Meanwhile it’s our chance to enjoy The Malthouse for the last few weeks it’s open, before they close the doors and move onto the next venue in 2020.

“Come and enjoy coffee, lunch and our creative, family friendly space during the day; or for a more grown up vibe come and enjoy DJs, live music, cocktails, beers and street food on an evening,” said Joe.

The Malthouse is open from 11am to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11am – 5pm for alcohol-free family day on Sundays.

The venue is going out with a bang with a big party on New Year’s Eve, themed around ‘Adult Playground’, featuring DJs, music, food and drink, light installations, and grown up games. (Tickets at: http://bit.ly/MalthouseNYE)

You can buy tickets here.

Longer term, the owners North Star aim to convert the site into Grade A offices.