[citation needed] Designed in 1989 by Dryden-Johnson Architects,[1] the unit was built speculatively in 1990 to host Indoor Cricket but failed to find a tenant for that purpose.

[2][3][4] As it was never designed for this purpose, there were a number of licensing conditions to be met before the go ahead was given by the local authorities, one of which was the installation of additional fire exits – at ESP's expense – to cope with the planned 4,000 capacity.

[6][7] Owned by Tony Rosenberg,[5] The Sanctuary played host to the UK's biggest dance music promoters of the time, including Dreamscape,[8] Helter Skelter,[9] Slammin Vinyl, Gatecrasher, Hardcore Heaven, Cream, Slinky, Uproar, Sidewinder,[10] and Godskitchen.

As well as rave events, several high-profile live music acts appeared at The Sanctuary, including The Cult,[11] The Prodigy,[12] Brand New Heavies, Gary Numan, and Paul Weller.

[13] Later still (early 2000s), event promoters Slammin' Vinyl also made use of the "Fastrack" go-karting arena (the third and final unit on the site),[14] creating a 9,000 capacity multi-arena dance venue, one of the largest of its kind in the country.