Last week, CADS (Creative Arts Development Space), announced the closure of the Abbeydale Picture House, a building of significant historical and cultural importance to the city. This announcement includes the immediate closure of the venue, including the iconic Grade II listed auditorium which has remained inoperable due to extensive damage to the ceiling.
Despite concerted efforts to sustain operations, the ‘Speakeasy Bar’ and ‘Fly Tower’ venues that have been functional within the premises are also closing, as it has proven unsustainable against the backdrop of the overall costs required to run the building effectively.
However, it’s important to note that ‘The Picture House Social’, a separate business entity operating within the Abbeydale Picture House complex, remains open and fully operational.
Photo credit: Timm Cleasby
The Abbeydale Picture House has been a beacon of arts and culture, operated by CADS under a 25-year lease, of which only 7 years have been completed. The journey to restore and revitalise the building faced a major setback two years ago with the discovery of an unsafe ceiling, significantly impairing the use of the main auditorium and escalating the financial strain on the charity.
Despite exploring multiple avenues for funding and support with considerable support from Sheffield City Council and including bids to the Community Ownership Fund and consultations with notable organisations such as the Music Venues Trust, The National Trust, and The Theatres Trust, the necessary resources to secure and repair the building have remained elusive.
Steve Rimmer, CADS board director and founder, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all who have supported the charity’s vision over the years: “The decision to close the Abbeydale Picture House has not been made lightly. Throughout this journey, we have faced numerous challenges in our quest to preserve this significant piece of Sheffield’s heritage.
“It is with deep regret that we must pause our operations at this location. However, it’s important to emphasise that CADS is not leaving; our tenancy agreement remains firmly in place, and with it, our hope and determination to one day reopen the building.
“We are committed to continuing our mission of restoring the Abbeydale Picture House for future generations, ensuring its legacy and the cultural enrichment it brings to Sheffield; however, we can’t afford to self-fund a loss-making venue at this time.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Sheffield community, our supporters, and partners who have stood by us. This chapter may be pausing, but our commitment to Sheffield’s arts and cultural landscape is as strong as ever.”
CADS remains dedicated to its mission of supporting arts and culture in Sheffield and will continue to explore new avenues to contribute to the city’s vibrant community.
Further updates on future projects and initiatives will be provided in due course.
