Warning as Sheffield City Hall and FlyDSA Arena ‘may not reopen’ after lockdown

Members of staff have been written to by bosses, warning that redundancy may follow as the venues are ‘mothballed’.

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Sports facilities also may not reopen.

Andrew Snelling, chief executive of Sheffield City Trust, which runs a number of entertainment and sports venues, said: “Clearly these are very challenging times for all organisations operating in the leisure and entertainment industry as we await government guidance on how and when we can open our venues.

“Sheffield City Trust runs a variety of facilities across sport, leisure and entertainment. It has become apparent that concerts, shows and large attendance events will not be possible in the short and medium term, so this leaves us with decisions to make regarding how we sustain venues such as Sheffield Arena and Sheffield City Hall.

“There are also specific issues with some of our sporting facilities, which means it may not be viable to open them safely even after we receive the go ahead.

“We have written to employees who are affected by the venues they work at being unable to open and explained we have begun a consultation process which may lead to redundancies.

“It is not a decision that has been taken lightly but venues that are generating no income will only need a much-reduced workforce to carry out essential maintenance while they are mothballed awaiting a change in circumstances.”

He said a Government announcement on a support package for the arts, entertainment and music industry is welcomed.

Mr Snelling said: “The UK Government’s announcement regarding a support package for the arts, entertainment and music industry is welcomed.

“We await further detailed information regarding funding availability for our venues and will ensure that everything is done to protect jobs.

“We are working closely with Sheffield City Council during these challenging times to ensure that the organisation is sustainable to continue to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Sheffield into the future.”

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