Heart of the City: Plans revealed to transform old city centre chapel into Sheffield’s newest live music venue revealed

Sheffield City Council and real estate firm Queensberry are inviting interest from potential operators for Bethel Chapel – a new live entertainment venue planned as part of the Heart of the City project currently transforming the centre of Sheffield.

Located on Cambridge Street, the 15,000-sq ft building, which dates back to the 1800s and was until recently the John Lewis toy shop, is currently being refurbished.

The plan is for it to become the latest addition to the strong tradition of live music and performance spaces in Sheffield when it opens next year.

The venue is seen as a key component in Heart of the City’s ‘cultural and social’ focal point in the area and will further complement the major food hall development, Cambridge Street Collective, and the independent retail, studio and maker spaces in Leah’s Yard, which will also both open next in 2023.

The council and Queensberry are now seeking an “exciting, quality operator” to take on a lease of Bethel Chapel.

The chosen organisation will be responsible for curating all events and social activities – anticipated to be live music, comedy and other live arts.

Alongside the live entertainment space on the ground floor, there will be a bar and cafe area on the first floor and the top floor will also have a roof terrace and balcony.

‘It’s a really interesting building with loads of potential’

A new outside space at the rear will have seating areas for Bethel Chapel and the adjoining Cambridge Street Collective.

Sheffield, which is also bidding to host the next Eurovision Song Contest, is home to a least 465 bands and artists, 65 recording studios and more than 24 record labels, the council reckons.

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, co-chair of the transport, regeneration and climate policy committee on Sheffield City Council, enthused: “Sheffield has a long-standing music tradition and we know there is a real hunger for new live venues in the city.

“Bethel Chapel is perfectly placed right in the heart of our city centre, close to lots of bars, cafés and cultural spaces.

“It’s a really interesting building with loads of potential and prospective tenants will need to match our vision and create an exciting venue that draws visitors from Sheffield and beyond.”

Alex Hyams, senior leasing manager of Queensberry, added: “Bethel Chapel epitomises our ambition to create unique places of character and personality within Heart of the City.

“We have already secured tenants for Leah’s Yard and Cambridge Street Collective and there has been lots of interest in Bethel Chapel.

“We will be undertaking a thorough applicant process in the coming months to ensure that we get the right quality operator to reflect this great new venue.”

The property is being formally marketed by Metis – contact Dan Davies by emailing [email protected]

Find out more about the Heart of the City 2 plans for Sheffield city centre at heartofsheffield.co.uk

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