Looks like emptying out time for the Printworks (bars and eateries) which is just behind where the photo is taken, which is a side street, the shops in front are a side of the Arndale (shopping) Centre. It's a great photo, just a shame it doesn't show my home town in its best light, mind you, surely plenty of similar scenes on nights generally and over the country.
I don't envy what the police and other emergency services end up having to deal with.