New renovations brewing for former Sheffield cinema

A much-loved historic building in Sheffield could be brought back in permanent use if renovation plans get the go-ahead.
Abbeydale Picture HouseAbbeydale Picture House
Abbeydale Picture House

Abbeydale Picture House, on Abbeydale Road, which currently hosts temporary film nights and festivals, could open as a cafe or bar for live music nights.

A planning application has been submitted to Sheffield Council for a replacement dance floor and new bar and kitchen facilities.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But the former cinema will not be used regularly until its owners can obtain a licence and say the proposed work would help.

Louise Snape, of Sheffield arts promoter Hand Of, who run events from the premises, said: “We get so many people coming to the building who say they would want to come in and enjoy it more.

“There are a lot of people in the area who really care about it. We want to engage with people on a more regular basis and a cafe would be a way to do that.

“The work would mean we would be on the way to getting a premises licence.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She said the floor sloped and needed to be made safer for a large number of people – and ‘so your pint doesn’t roll down the floor.’

The planning application says the venue’s current facilities ‘do not meet current standards in order to make it fit to hold a liquor licence and large events’.

Smaller events have relied on a temporary licence to serve alcohol.

The renovations will be in keeping with the building’s Victorian heritage and little will be done to its structure.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The plans include refurbishing part of the main space inside, including replacing the original suspended floor, making the temporary bar permanent and installing a kitchen.

Fans of the building will still be able to enjoy its grandeur as events will still be held during the year, with a new programme of music and cinema screenings to be released soon.