The Warehouse Project — Attraction in Manchester

The Prodigy who performed last night were absolutely amazing. I’m writing this review purely about how the venue was held itself. I made sure to follow the policies, which said that no bags were allowed that were larger than an A4 sized envelope and didn’t bring in any empty plastic water bottle so that I could refill my water, as there was a “no plastic” policy. I also had VIP tickets in an area which is meant to be strictly 18+. There was also a dress code of “casual but not scruffy” and “no football shirts”.

In the venue, large bags were allowed through and security paid them no attention. People were allowed through no matter the dress code (short glittery skirts etc) and some were wearing football shirts - I would’ve dressed up a lot better for the event if I knew that security didn’t actually care about how you dressed. People also were allowed empty plastic water bottles which I was told wasn’t allowed via their policies on their website.

Security checked bags twice, which was good, however both times they failed to search the front of my bag (which only contained cash, but these things should always still be searched).

The queue flowed nicely, but when we got to VIP there was a girl who was 13 years old in the exact same area where the bar was, with her parents. The entire event was 14+ with the VIP being 18+, so she shouldn’t have even been able to walk through the front doors let alone get into the VIP area. The parents also tried convincing my dad to give up my place for her when I went to the toilet, to which I had to confront him that this wasn’t on. The toilets were filthy, the seats were covered in wee, as well as the handles and toilet paper. There was not any flush buttons either and one of the toilets I went in had no hand washing facilities so I couldn’t wash my hands after touching wet paper and handles. Awful.

I tried asking one member of staff for a cup so I could get some water, but I don’t think he understood English very well and had to get another member of staff to ask me what I was saying which delayed us getting in. The ceiling also was leaking very badly last night which needs to be fixed.

Overall the prodigy was 10000/10, but the warehouse project staff needs to train their staff according to the policies that they have displayed on their website. I spent £20 on a small bag that wasn’t even necessary and there were underage kids at the venue. The map said that there was also a food stall but this was...

I had a horrible experience at WHP on 26th October while queuing to get in. I was wearing a vintage football shirt and as soon as the security guard saw me he aggressively pulled me out of the queue into the street, started frisking me and told me to take off the shirt. The security guard was really aggressive towards me despite the fact that I cooperated calmly and quietly.

I checked the rules for entry and there is nothing about football shirts being banned, only if clothing is scruffy and mine wasn’t. I was not allowed to take the shirt in and store it in the lockers and he shouted at me to put it in the bin! I ended up only wearing a vest all night which luckily I was wearing under the shirt. What makes it worse is I was the only person pulled out from the queue for this despite there being other people wearing football shirts (different country and different UK team shirts), not only in the same queue but also who we saw later on in the night. It is not a coincidence that this happened to only me being a person of colour. I was clearly profiled by security.

After the event finished I picked up my shirt (from a box on the floor by the entrance where the security guard shoved it...) and my shirt was the only one in there! So clearly there is not a policy of no football shirts, just no football shirts for a person of colour who the aggressive bouncer wants to profile and target. I paid £40 for a ticket and expected to be treated with respect. I did nothing wrong and was singled out for a ridiculous reason (and if there’s a no football shirt policy, please state it clearly in your entry policy) and racially profiled in the queue even before the event started. Honestly, it ruined my night and it seems like WHP is not a night that is inclusive or treats people of colour...

The venue is run very well with all the efficiency and expertise that you would expect.

The pricing of drinks and food (in the smoking area) is the national average.

I believe the layout needs a lot of change. The area after the security and before the Depot should be all on one level and have a lot of seating with a central bar serving on the sides. The elevated area by the Depot should be removed. The stage for the Concourse should be on the far side, the opposite of where it is now. So that would create an area between the Depot and Concourse that is more relaxed, a 'chilout area'. The Archive should be relocated as it's generally too packed, meaning it deserves a bigger and better size. The smoking area is an afterthought, I believe multiple smoking areas are needed.

Most attendees are happy to be around 5000 plus people, but if you are not the VIP ticket gets you access to an area with separate bars and toilets and most importantly a quieter space where you are not being constantly knocked into.

The height and size of the venue means it is very difficult to have a good sound system. But all things considered it's pretty good. Obviously it could be improved, but that would require significant investment. I personally would prefer if there was a false ceiling added to the venue as it's easier to have a better bassier sound with lower ceiling height.

On the night I have to say I was underwhelmed by the music from...