Sheffield Live, the city’s community radio and television operation, has acquired the former pub, the Tap and Barrel, on Castlegate, to transform it into a live arts and community media centre.
Sheffield Live is set to be transformed with new radio, TV and podcasting studios, a public café and bar and a performance space for local artists, as the surrounding area undergoes major urban redevelopment, including a new park due to open next year.
Steve Buckley of Sheffield Community Media said: “Acquisition of the former Tap and Barrel meets our long-held ambition to find a space for live performance, community arts and social enterprise that can integrate with our broadcast media facilities
“We are inviting people to get involved and we welcome expressions of interest in use of the space and contributing to the project.”
Sheffield Community Media, which hosts Sheffield Live, has purchased the former pub with the support of social investment lender, The Key Fund. It plans to raise further investment from a community shares issue to improve the bar and performance spaces
Sangita Basudev, co-founder of Sheffield Live! said: “We are excited to be moving to this iconic location, on the site of Sheffield’s former castle and opposite Lady’s Bridge, the first bridge across the River Don.
“With Castlegate now part of the city centre conservation area, we look forward to developing our role in promoting local heritage and connecting communities.”
Castlegate’s cultural scene is growing fast, with grassroots projects like RiteTrax and Delicious Clam joined by major incoming facilities including the S1 Artspace gallery and Harmony Works music education centre.
Tchiyiwe Chihana, director of African Voices Platform, a partner in the project, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to build on our work with Sheffield Live! and to contribute to a new space for community arts that will showcase our city’s diverse talent and enterprise.
Sheffield Community Media, backed by the University of Sheffield’s School of Architecture and Co-ops UK, is looking to build on those partnerships as the project develops.
Interested parties can get in touch at info@sheffieldlive.org.
