Hopes have been raised for the future of Manchester music venues Deaf Institute and Gorilla.
Several potential buyers have come forward with expressions of interest since owners Mission Mars announced their closure yesterday, the M.E.N has been told.
The Deaf Institute, on Grosvenor Street, and Gorilla, on Whitworth Street West, were hugely popular and widely regarded as having some of the best programming in the city.
Thousands of gig-goers and musicians were mourning their loss after the M.E.N reported the news yesterday.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and night time economy adviser Sacha Lord vowed to do everything in their power to save the venues last night.
Now Sacha has shared a glimmer of hope on Twitter.
He posted: "Gorilla and Deaf Institute update: There is hope. Over night I have received interest from potential buyers. This morning I have written to Mission Mars asking them to share with me the sale details. Further updates will follow."
The M.E.N understands there have been about half a dozen genuine expressions of interest from operators who want to keep the buildings in use as music venues.
Several staff members have claimed Mission Mars was considering selling the venues before lockdown hit.
The M.E.N understands potential buyers were already interested in both venues but the current crisis halted negotiations.
The Music Venue Trust, which is raising a fighting fund to provide emergency financial support for at-risk venues, also claimed the company 'regrettably' did not seek help from them to prevent the closures.
In a statement yesterday, the company - which also owns Albert's Schloss, Albert Hall and Rudy's Neapolitan Pizza - said the decision was made against the backdrop of the current coronavirus crisis.
Music venues are still not allowed to stage live performances under the current restrictions, with only socially-distanced outdoor gigs currently allowed to go ahead.
Roy Ellis, CEO and founder of Mission Mars said yesterday: "The Deaf Institute and Gorilla have been at the forefront of the music scene in Manchester for many years and it is with great sadness that we announce that we will not be reopening.
"This difficult decision has been made against the backdrop of COVID 19 and the enforced closure of all of our sites and with continued restrictions upon opening of live music venues."
Mr Ellis said today that he hoped there would be a happy ending for the two venues.
"We’ve had lots of interest from both credible operators and passionate and enthusiastic supporters," he said.
"We are working our way through them to try and create a happy ending."
