Northern Quarter, the Wood Street venue in Huddersfield, reopens on Thursday 5 November under a new operator. The first night brings back Wood Street Open Mic, which runs from 7pm to 11pm with free entry, and it marks the venue's return after it closed in late August.
A new operator takes over
Northern Quarter Events CIC, a community interest company set up in 2025 to stage events at the venue, now runs the whole of Northern Quarter. Alistair Gray serves as general manager, working alongside fellow directors Gabby Hurt and Dan Akers. The venue closed in late August after the previous team said it needed new people to take it on.
The open mic has a long history behind it. It began on Wood Street in 2014 and has been based at Northern Quarter since 2017. The August closing night was its last session before the doors shut, which is why the relaunch is built around it. From the reopening, the open mic will run every other Thursday until the end of the year. It is open to any style and any ability, with sign-up on the night.
Programming in the first weeks
Several events are already scheduled. The BYOB night, titled Beats, Bars & Burners, takes place on Saturday 7 November, and Matt Delaney's album launch follows on Saturday 14 November. Chaos by Sunday play a free gig with Eliza Beth and Enoks Hammer on Wednesday 25 November, and the YSWN Huddersfield Makers Synth Jam is set for Sunday 6 December. More of the opening weekend has yet to be announced.
Funding for wider programming
The CIC is running an 18-month programme with SisterHudd, supported by Arts Council England's Supporting Grassroots Music fund. Kirklees Council's Community Plus Fund is also helping the venue test new formats, including dance classes, songwriting workshops and training days for sound and light engineers. These additions show the operator looking beyond gigs alone, though the schedule beyond the announced dates remains to be confirmed.
Why the team took it on
Dan Akers, a director of Northern Quarter Events CIC, said public reaction to the closure was a major reason for the takeover. He said: "When the doors closed in August, a lot of people told us how much this place means to them." He added that the open mic is the natural opening night, and directed people to nqhudds.org.uk for the listed free dates.
Getting involved
Listings and tickets are available at nqhudds.org.uk, which also carries details of the opening night. Promoters, bands, artists, food vendors and volunteers who want to take part can get in touch through the website. Northern Quarter is located at 28-30 Wood Street, Huddersfield HD1 1DU.