The Boardwalk, on Snig Hill, which has played host to a number of key moments in music history, including The Clash’s first gig and seminal Arctic Monkeys gigs, could be protected from development after a bid was accepted to name it as an ‘asset of community value’ by Sheffield City Council.
If successful, the designation will require that a community group set up to protect the venue are provided with the opportunity to bid in the event of a future sale.
The venue’s storied past includes the moment Joe Cocker was on stage as his single went to number one as well as being name-checked in the Arctic Monkeys first demo ‘Under the Boardwalk’ after Alex Turner worked behind the bar.
Originally a celebrated jazz club in the ‘30s, it has since had a series of names including the Black Swan or Mucky Duck, but has sadly fallen on hard times recently following its closure due to ‘breaches of licence’ under its most recent incarnation, Bassbox.
Asset of community value protection was sought after property developer freeholder Bharat Patel of Chicken Villas Ltd blocked an agreed sale by leaseholders Enterprise Inns.
Del Tilling, the director of the not-for-profit community group hoping to take over the venue’s lease, has reportedly said that if the asset of community value was accepted, he hopes the ‘nationally important’ venue can become a destination for music lovers visiting the Steel City.
All five Sheffield city MPs have declared support for the AoCV, who said the group’s proposed renovation of the venue would both celebrate the city’s rich musical history and bring economic and social value to the community.
