Famous Sheffield nightclub could be set for new lease of life

The Plug on Matilda Street in Sheffield city centre has faced an uncertain future since well before the pandemic hit.

Bosses were forced to deny rumours in 2018 that it was to be sold off and taken over by a golfing supplies company, and then in July 2019, a notice of ‘peaceable re-entry’ was placed outside the venue, stating that the lease of the property was ‘forefeit’. There has been no update on its future since then.

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In April, the owners of the Lane7 bowling alley on the same street opened a huge new pop-up beer garden in The Plug’s carpark, with capacity for 200 people, after signing a temporary deal to take over the site.

Now a new licensing application has been submitted to use The Plug as a late night entertainment venue.

The application comes from Reet Here Ltd, a new company incorporated in April, with Lane7 founder Tim Wilks listed on Companies House as its sole director, and was received by Sheffield Council on May 28.

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Permission is sought to use the venue for live music and recorded music until 6am throughout the week, with live music allowed outdoors until 10.30pm.

The application would also allow the premises to be used for plays, films, indoor sporting events, boxing or wrestling entertainments, performance of dance, or anything of a similar description.

The request is pending approval by the council, with a deadline of June 25 for any written representations to be made.

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The Star has attempted to contact Lane7 and Tim Wilks for more information about the latest plans for the site, but has yet to receive a response.

Ahead of the pop-up beer garden opening, Lane7’s COO Graeme Smith described the venture as ‘just what the city needs to get on the front foot of the sector re-emerging from lockdown’.

In its heyday, The Plug, a 1,200-capacity venue, was a favourite of Sheffield students, hosting student night Spanked and indie disco Propaganda.

Acts including Arctic Monkeys, The Wombats and Ed Sheeran have played there since it opened in 2005.