Staff make 'surreal' discovery of hidden feature at famous city centre venue

A fascinating hidden feature has been discovered at one of Manchester's most popular venues.

New Century Hall, in the NOMA area of the city centre, is a popular spot for gig-goers. It has boasted shows from the likes of Jamie XX, Paloma Faith, and Everything Everything since reopening in 2022.

However, generations earlier, the venue was a sell-out for music fans of a different genre. New Century Hall was built in the 60s, when Jimi Hendrix and Jerry Lee Lewis graced the stage.

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It later became the centre of acid house parties as the second summer of love enveloped Manchester. Both eras were very, very different times.

That’s best exemplified by the ‘surreal discovery’ staff made when renovating the Hall, which has a grade-II listed floor. But their discovery wasn’t under the floorboards - it was on the wall.

They found an ashtray bolted to each wall either side of the stage. The bizarre feature is thought to have made it one of the longest ashtrays in Europe.

Finding them was ‘quite surreal’, according to a spokesman for the venue. “The sheer length is incredible", they said.

“Of course, they had to be removed as the laws are very different nowadays, but what a sight it must have been back then with everyone resting on the side, having a smoke while watching some of the incredible acts of days gone by.”

While the ashtrays might be gone, there is a reminder they existed. Where the ashtrays once stood are two room-length armrests, carved out from the same construction.

They’re hard to notice in a dark room because they have black padding on top. Once the house lights come up after the show is finished, they’ll be easier to spot — and remind revellers of the many generations of fans who visited the venue in years gone by.