The £15 million lottery-funded project officially launched in March 1999 and was envisaged as a celebration of contemporary music and culture, with exhibits including instruments and outfits from the careers of legendary acts.
But the place on Paternoster Row struggled to attract enough visitors, becoming a high-profile failure – after its closure as a museum in July 2000 it was used as a venue for hire before the distinctive building, formed of stainless steel-coated ‘drums’, was turned into Sheffield Hallam University’s students’ union.
Enjoy a virtual trip to the long-gone museum by taking a look at these pictures.
![The National Centre for Popular Music in June 2000.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjI5NWRjYjNhLWMyNGQtNDRlNi1iMWUxLWZjYTIxMjNkZTE4NDpmMTZlYzZkZS00NTg4LTQ5MTAtYTQ0OS1jZDZjYTk1ZGQ2MjU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Distinctive drums
The National Centre for Popular Music in June 2000. Photo: Chris Lawton
![Sheffield Hallam University's Science Park and the National Centre for Popular Music in 1999.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmNhNjBlOTQ1LWFjOGMtNGY2NC05ZjA4LTFhZWQ5OGFiOThlNjo4YzYyMGU5YS1kNzYyLTQ4ZTUtYjRiNy1kNzdjNGQ1NTliN2Q=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Seen from above
Sheffield Hallam University's Science Park and the National Centre for Popular Music in 1999. Photo: Roger Nadal
![Nick Banks and Russell Senior of Pulp look at a scale model of the centre in 1996.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjliYWVjNzE3LTAwMmMtNDQyYS04YzZiLTdjNzJjYzJmYmNiNTplZjM4MjI5NS04MmU1LTQ1OWEtOGNiMi03NjRmNmM0YTUzMjg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Intriguing design
Nick Banks and Russell Senior of Pulp look at a scale model of the centre in 1996. Photo: Paul Chappells
![Visitors look at exhibits on the last day of opening in 2000.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjI2ZjViOTQ2LTEzZmUtNGViYi1hMWU5LTA3ZTRkYjA2ZmY3NDoyNTg1ZTg0YS01MTZkLTQ5NGQtOTBlZC1lYWE4Nzg0MmZkYmU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Musical history
Visitors look at exhibits on the last day of opening in 2000. Photo: JPIMedia