Famous Sheffield music venue boarded up after it was forced to close

The Boardwalk on Snig Hill in the city centre, whose previous names include the Black Swan and Mucky Duck, was where the Clash famously played their first gig on July 4, 1976, supporting the Sex Pistols and the Buzzcocks, and where the Arctic Monkeys later cut their teeth.

Having lain vacant for some time it was briefly revived in October 2018 as a drum and bass club called Bassbox, only for the managers to be stripped of their licence in July last year following complaints from neighbouring residents about excessive noise.

The distinctive entrance to the venue, where a makeshift plaque previously recognised it as the birthplace of the Clash, has now been boarded up and is being advertised to let.

An advertising board above the entrance describes it as being available for ‘possible licensed use or alternative use, subject to permission’.

Martin Nicholson, managing director of Nicholson and Co, which is marketing the property, said: “We are trying to let the property again now and the council MAY support a new license (on an earlier close I guess) as the offices in that area are now flats. However, we are open to offers.”

As well as its musical heritage, the building has a reputation as one of Sheffield’s most haunted spots.

It has been featured on Ghosts of Britain and Paranormal X, with a resident poltergeist said to slam doors and play the piano, and it was opened for ghostly tours last year.